SW Bend runner spots cougar; deputies find only tracks

A runner in southwest Bend happened upon a cougar Monday morning, prompting a search by Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies that turned up tracks but no sightings, they said.

“You know, it’s actually pretty rare, but we do live in cougar country,” Deschutes County sheriff’s Sgt. William Bailey said Tuesday.

Around 7:45 a.m. Monday, deputies were dispatched the area of Buck Canyon Road, west of Brookswood Boulevard, where the sighting took place, Bailey said..

“Usually we don’t actually see the cougar itself,” Bailey said.

After the cougar saw the runner, it ran away toward the Deschutes River, Bailey said, adding that an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employee was informed of this cougar activity.

The ODFW says many of the cougar sightings in residential areas are just cougars passing through as they search for territory. Many times, the agency says, these cougars are young males.

There are more than 5,000 cougars in Oregon, so they say cougars are bound to wander into areas populated with people, pets and livestock.

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the community of several facts,” Bailey said in a news release.

“Do not disturb dead animal carcasses, especially if you believe the animal may be a cougar kill,” he said. “If there are confirmed cougar sightings in your area such as this, do not walk your dogs at night in the area.”

“It is recommended that residents keep outside lighting in the areas where livestock is present to help deter cougar attacks. Supervise children and pets that are outside.

“There are many residential areas inside Deschutes County near rural settings in which wildlife is prevalent. If and when a member of the community comes into contact with wildlife such as a cougar, do not run, but move slowly, keeping the animal in view as you move away from the area.

“If there is a perceived danger to the community, please notify law enforcement as soon as possible,” Bailey concluded.

More information can be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/cougars.asp