A cougar sighting that put some folks within the metropolis of Tigard on alert turned out to be a case of mistaken id.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife mentioned Friday that the sighting of what was believed to be the massive cat at Cook Park turned out to be nothing greater than a home cat.
ODFW mentioned on Twitter that “it happens more than you think.”
“While Tigard has had confirmed sightings in the past, thankfully, this time around, it was not one,” Tigard Public Works mentioned on X, previously generally known as Twitter.
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ODFW posted somebody’s video of the cat to elucidate how they decided it wasn’t a cougar.
“The video is grainy but the #1 indicator is its size compared to the tree and compost/garbage bin. Also the fence is likely 6 foot which puts the cat at less than 1 foot in height,” ODFW mentioned. “Also the coloration – it’s not the right tan and looks more like an orange house cat. You’d be surprised how often other animals (dogs, house cats, coyotes, bobcats) are reported as cougar sightings.”
How do we all know it was a home cat not a cougar? The video is grainy however the #1 indicator is its dimension in comparison with the tree and compost/rubbish bin. Also the fence is probably going 6 foot which places the cat at lower than 1 foot in top. pic.twitter.com/yJsgLFyirZ
— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (@MyODFW) November 17, 2023
Here is extra about cougars in Oregon from the ODFW web site:
Oregon is home to greater than 6,000 cougars, or mountain lions. While cougar sightings and encounters are uncommon, it’s smart to coach your self in regards to the huge cats.
Native to Oregon, cougars vary all through the state, the best densities happen within the Blue Mountains within the northeastern a part of the state and within the southwestern Cascade Mountains . Their primarily meals supply is deer, however they may even devour elk, raccoons, bighorn sheep, and different mammals and birds. Cougars are territorial animals and preserve home ranges of as much as 100 miles. Most lively at daybreak and nightfall, cougars are lone hunters. They are usually solitary animals, aside from moms who stay with kittens for about two years. While precise cougar sightings have elevated, coyotes, bobcats and dogs are sometimes mistaken for cougars. A cougar might be recognized by its giant dimension, cat-like look, constant tan or tawny physique shade, and lengthy tail. An grownup cougar’s tail is sort of three ft lengthy and a 3rd to a half of its complete size. Cougar tracks might be differentiated from canine tracks by taking note of element.
Report any cougar sighting or encounter to a neighborhood ODFW workplace or Oregon State Police workplace.
