• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, April 12, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Oregon Cougars – Where Are They To Go?

BCR by BCR
February 15, 2013
in News World
0
0
SHARES
40
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Two young men who come to Gaddis Park almost every day seemed unfazed Thursday to hear a cougar has been spotted near the park, which is in the middle of Roseburg.

“I personally haven’t seen it,” said Seth Allen, 22, “but I’m hoping to. I’m an adrenaline junkie.”

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

“He’d catch and ride it,” joked his friend, 25-year-old Michael Benson.

“I think I might have fun trying to wrestle with the cougar,” Allen responded.

Although the two young men made light of the cougar sightings, Tod Lum, a wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said his agency is taking the three sightings very seriously.

According to police, the first sighting was 12 days ago. Lum said he has heard that a homeless woman who camps at Gaddis Park reported seeing the cougar near her tent that evening.

On Tuesday, someone else reported seeing a cougar at the south end of Cedar Street just before midnight. Cedar Street is just east of Gaddis Park.

In response to the first two sightings, Roseburg police cautioned residents to avoid the park and nearby sections of the bike park after dark.

On Wednesday, a different man reported seeing a cougar just east of the park down by the river at about 9 a.m.

But law enforcement and wildlife officials have not yet been able to confirm the sightings. Lum said that is partly because his agency hasn’t learned about the incidents until hours or days after they took place.

Although wildlife officials use scent-sniffing dogs, it’s difficult to track animals in the summer. Lum said an animal’s scent evaporates quickly in the summer. Trackers sometimes find tracks in the mud, but there’s little mud this time of year. Lum encourages anyone who sees a cougar to immediately call 911.

Lum said it is not uncommon for his agency to hear about cougar sightings in or near the city but most often the sightings are on the outskirts of town.

“This is the first one I’ve ever heard of in Gaddis Park,” he said.

Lum speculated that a cougar could be visiting the South Umpqua River near the park because of the feral cat colonies. He said he recognizes that people feed feral cats because they want to help them. But “that contributes to the problem” of attracting cougars to the city, Lum said.

He speculated the big cat may be coming to the river in search of a staple of its diet — deer — as well as other animals, such as raccoons.

Lum said it’s plausible the hot weather draws cougars to the river. “You’ve got animals coming and going to the water. (Cougars) have got prey nearby. They’ve got cover and brush,” he added. “It’s a buffet (for cougars).”

If officials verify the cougar sightings and capture the cougar, it would be euthanized, Lum said. If officials were to relocate the cougar, they might place it in another cougar’s territory, causing the existing cougar to attack the new cougar.

Lum also stressed that whether or not a cougar is caught near Gaddis Park, there’s no guarantee another one won’t wander into the city in the future.

It’s important for people to know what to do if they encounter a cougar.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Lum said. “I think (cougars) are cool critters, and they definitely have a part, and a place” in the ecology.

But if a cougar has frequented Gaddis Park, it’s “crossed a line,” he said. “And we take that very seriously.”

• You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 541-957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@nrtoday.com.

http://www.BigCatRescue.org

Join more than 23,000 Big Cat Rescue fans http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Cat-Rescue-Tampa-FL/122174836956?ref=ts


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Bobcat Bites Michigan Teen Trying to Shoo It Away – Photo

Next Post

Cougar Hunting On NM Game Commission Agenda

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
2.3k
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
194
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
741
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
111
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
341
Next Post

Cougar Hunting On NM Game Commission Agenda

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • About BCR
  • News @ BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist