While a cougar in that part of West Seattle isn’t out of the realm of possibility, cougar sightings are extraordinarily rare in highly urban areas. But, as the state’s population booms and the edges of cougar country are developed, more experts are looking for ways to prepare the public for encountering a cougar.
Where do cougars live in Washington?
Cougars live in all corners of Washington state, from the foothills in Issaquah to the eastern mountains to the San Juan Islands. If you live or hike in places that support deer or elk, then you also have cougars. They are well adapted to rocky terrain, arid brushy landscapes, dense woodlands and coastal areas.
Are there any cougars in Washington state?
Cougars occur throughout Washington where suitable cover and prey are found. Cougars use steep canyons, rock outcroppings and boulders, or vegetation — such as dense brush and forests — to remain hidden while hunting.
How common are cougar attacks in Washington state?
I will say incidents such as this are extremely rare.” There have been two fatal attacks on humans in Washington state, including one in 2018 and 20 that resulted in injuries to humans in the past 100 years, according to WDFW. In 2019, a child was attacked by a cougar in Leavenworth.
How big are cougars in Washington state?
Adult males average approximately 140 pounds but in a perfect situation may weigh 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. Adult males stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Adult female cougars average about 25 percent smaller than males.
Do cougars eat humans?
They are powerful cats that can leap horizontally up to twenty feet and vertically up to sixteen feet. Cougars are solitary animals and like to hunt without being noticed. A cougar preying on humans is rare but does happen from time to time. Teddy Roosevelt, in 1901 states that cougar attacks “are exceedingly rare.”
Are there bobcats in Seattle?
Found throughout all of Washington, bobcats are probably more common than most people realize. Bobcats appear to be using suburban settings more often, although due to their reclusive ways, they are not often seen.
Are there grizzly bears in Washington?
Grizzly bears once occurred in most of Washington, but are now restricted to remote areas of the Selkirk Mountains and certain places near the northern border of Washington between these two ecosystems. These areas support the best remaining seclusion habitat in the state.
What to do if you encounter a cougar?
You must show the cougar you are not a prey animal and you are able to fight back:
- Do not run. Do not turn your back.
- Make sure children and dogs stay calm. Keep them very close.
- Make yourself look big. Wave your arms, open your jacket and do not crouch down or bend over.
- Use your noise deterrent and bear spray.
What are cougars afraid of?
Cougar Signs
Experts such as Debra Chase, CEO of the Mountain Lion Foundation, say that cougars are mostly afraid of humans and don’t see us as potential prey. Occasionally, though, humans fool them. Quick movements, such as running or bicycling, which make humans resemble prey, sometimes lead to cougar attacks.
How do you protect yourself from a cougar?
If the lion behaves aggressively, wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice, and throw objects like the water bottle in your hand. The goal is to convince it that you are not prey and may be dangerous yourself. Try to remain standing to protect your head and neck. If attacked, fight back!!
What to do when you see a cougar while hiking?
If you see a cougar while hiking: Keep your cool and be as intimidating as possible by presenting yourself as large, loud and threatening. This is typically enough to detour the animal. It’s also very important to stand your ground and never turn your back.
How many people have been killed by cougars in Washington state?
Cougar attacks on humans are rare. There have been just two fatal attacks on humans in Washington state in the past 100 years, in 1924 and 2018, the agency said. State records show another 20 cougar attacks on humans resulting in injuries.
Are there bears in Seattle?
Washington is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Grizzly bears are rare in Washington, but a small population exists in the Selkirk Mountains of northeast Washington, and their presence has been documented in the Okanogan Highlands and the North Cascades.
Are wolves in Washington state?
The gray wolf (Canis lupus), a native Washington species, was nearly eradicated from the state in the early 1900s. Wolves are returning to Washington on their own, dispersing from populations in nearby states and provinces–wolves were never reintroduced to Washington.
Can you shoot a cougar in Washington?
Legal Status of Cougars in Washington
A property owner or the owner’s immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill a cougar on that property if it is damaging domestic animals (RCW 77.36. 030). No permit is required. The killing of a cougar in self-defense, or defense of another, should be reasonable and justified.
Should you throw rocks at cougars?
Never run past or away from a mountain lion. Don’t bend over or crouch down. Aggressively wave your arms, throw stones or branches, do not turn away.
Can a human fight off a cougar?
Humans are capable of fending off cougars, as adult humans are generally larger. It is even possible for humans to win a fight against a cougar, such as the case of Travis Kauffman, who choked a juvenile cougar to death when attacked while jogging.
How do you know if a mountain lion is around you?
If a cougar is in the area and you are lucky enough to detect its presence, most often it will be due to “cougar sign” and not actually seeing the animal. These signs are evidence left behind after a cougar has passed through. Cougar signs include tracks, scat, scratches and cached (partially buried) prey.
What wild animals are in Seattle Washington?
Encompassing the famous volcano of Mount Rainier, the park is home to elk, coyotes, bobcats, beavers, foxes, marmots, pikas, mountain goats, rodents, falcons, eagles, owls, finches, and others.
Are there wild cats in Seattle?
Bobcats and cougars are widespread in Washington—even inhabiting greater Seattle—while lynx (below) are limited to the eastern wildlands of the North Cascades.