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- Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are native to Washington state. About 2,500 live in this state, double the populations of the early 1980s, and their numbers are growing.
- Cougars normally are reclusive animals which avoid humans. They make their dens in rocky outcroppings, dense thickets and under uprooted trees. They are highly territorial— a male cougar may dominate a range of up to 100 square miles.
- There have been nine recorded attacks by cougars on humans in this state. Eight of those attacks have occurred in the 1990s. In addition there was one fatality of a 13-year-old child which occurred in 1924 in Olema (Okanagan County).
- An adult cougar can range in length from 42 to 54 inches, with a 3-foot-long tail. Adult males weigh up to 200 pounds, and adult females up to 120 pounds.
- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responds to complaints about cougars, which may range from attacks to livestock depredations to sightings that cause concern. In recent years, WDFW has expanded training for its enforcement officers in how to properly capture, relocate and, when necessary, euthanize the animals.
- In response to a rising number of complaints about cougars and black bears, WDFW in 1995 began systematically collecting data on citizen complaints about both animals. In 1996, the first full year for which data was available, the Department verified 495 cougar complaints. In 1998, WDFW received 927 confirmed complaints about cougars, 447 of which were sightings or chance encounters.
- It is WDFW policy to attempt to track and kill any cougar that attacks a human. The Department also may kill a cougar in the case of attack on domestic animals or livestock. In other complaints, WDFW attempts to mark and relocate captured cougars once, unless there is an immediate human-safety risk. If a marked cougar reappears in a human area it will be killed. Relocation often is not effective, with moved animals becoming repeat offenders or dying because they are not able to establish a home range.
- Reasons for the growing number of cougar sightings include: increasing populations of both humans and the animals, human development encroaching into former wildlife habitat and a decreasing number of animals being taken by hunters. Cougars, especially younger animals learning to survive on their own, may wander into developed areas searching for food.
- Cougars are classified as game animals and may be hunted under rules and regulations established by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. In 1998, 184 cougars were taken by hunters.
- In addition, the Department has taken steps to increase public awareness about cougars. A brochure, "Living With Wildlife in Washington," and other informational materials have been widely distributed in parks and other places where people recreate. Information from the brochure also is available on the Wildlife Science section of the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov on the Internet.
- Safety tips to minimize the risk of injury if a cougar is encountered include the following:
- Don't run. Pick up small children so they do not run.
- Stand tall; do not crouch. Stand on a stump, rock or other available object to appear as large as possible.
- Shout, wave arms and throw rocks.
- Never take you eyes off the cougar.
- If the cougar attacks, attempt to fight back and remain standing.
For additional information, contact WDFW Public Affairs at (360) 902-2250.
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