Hunt for cougar in southern Bend called off

(Update: Bend-area hunt for cougar called off)

An active effort to trap and euthanize a cougar seen in the Deschutes River Canyon area of southern Bend has been halted, as it’s apparently moved on, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Traps in the area were pulled “because it never came back,” ODFW’s Michelle Dennehy said. The remains of a deer apparently killed by a cougar in a subdivision had been left there as well, to see if the cougar would return to feed again, but it “never came back to it.”

Although the active search is over, Dennehy said signs in the area warning the public of the recent sightings remain in place, to make sure people are aware and report any future sightings.

Another cougar sighting was reported Tuesday morning in Sunriver, farther south. Dennehy said it was a “fairly credible” sighting, but they cannot tell for sure if it’s the same animal, as investigators couldn’t find a track due to the recent wet conditions.

Dennehy said biologists are “kind of skeptical” it’s the same cougar, as “with the geography, it would be difficult.” At this point, unless there are more sightings, it’s not considered a public safety threat, she said.

It’s the latest in a number of reported cougar sightings in Central Oregon in recent weeks.

The Sunriver Police Department got a call around 8:30 a.m. regarding the unconfirmed cougar sighting, Officer Mark Ereth said.

It was reported the animal was seen crossing the roadway near the intersection of South Century Drive and Abbot Drive.

Sunriver officers, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife all responded to investigate the sighting.

“No additional sightings have been reported,” Ereth said in a midday news release. “It has been determined there is no safety risk to the public at this time.”

If you see a cougar, you are encouraged to report the sighting to your local law enforcement agency, Oregon State Police or ODFW.

If you should encounter a cougar, follow the ODFW guidelines below, for your safety and the safety of the animal.

STOP – Never approach a cougar at any time.

STAY CALM – Face the cougar and do not turn your back towards it. Do not run. Running encourages it to chase you.

APPEAR LARGE – Make yourself look large. Do not bend over or crouch down. Raise your hands. Hold your coat open. Hold small children.

FIGHT BACK – Fight back if attacked.

MAKE NOISE – Make noise while hiking to reduce the chance of surprising a cougar.

KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE – Always keep children close by and in sight.

AVOID WALKING ALONE