Multiple cougar sightings reported near Beaverton shopping center
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Beaverton residents are on alert after a cougar was recorded walking through the backyard of a Cedar Hills neighborhood home at 1:45 a.m. on March 18.
The sighting occurred 0.2 miles from Cedar Hills Crossing, a popular shopping center in the area. On Thursday, a second sighting was reported a mile away from the first sighting, Deputy David Huey of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office told KOIN.
“Today, WCSO received a notice of a sighting near the 13,000 block of SW Foothill Drive,” Huey said. “They are fairly close to each other on the map.”
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Beth Quillian told KOIN that cougar sightings can occur in Oregon’s urban areas.
“Oregon is cougar country and sometimes cougars do pass through more urban areas,” Quillian said. “It’s not unusual for cougars to be detected on cameras, especially at nighttime. Cougars are most active at dawn and dusk. They are normally elusive and wary of humans, so it is rare to see one, but keep safety tips in mind and report sightings to ODFW.”
ODFW offers the following tips for cougar safety tips:
Around the home tips:
- Learn your neighborhood. Be aware of any wildlife corridors or places where deer or elk concentrate.
- Walk pets during the day and keep them on a leash.
- Keep pets indoors at dawn and dusk when cougars are most active. Shelter them for the night and always feed pets indoors.
- Use animal-proof garbage cans and leave garbage outside unsecured.
- Remove heavy brush from near the house and play areas, install motion-activated light outdoors along walkways and driveways.
- Do not feed any wildlife. By attracting other wildlife, you may attract a cougar. Keep bird feeder areas clean.
- If you have a garden or keep livestock, deer-proof your garden and yard with nets, lights, fencing. Fence and shelter livestock. Move them to sheds or barns at night.
General safety tips:
- Cougars are normally elusive and wary of humans. Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity so leave the animal a way to escape. If you encounter a cougar, follow these safety tips:
- Stay calm and do not run away. Running can trigger a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
- Raise your voice and speak firmly.
- Maintain direct eye contact.
- Pick up children but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
- Back away slowly.
- If the cougar displays aggressive behavior or does not leave, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
- In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available.