Another Cougar Sighting Reported in a Gresham Neighborhood

A cougar was spotted in a Gresham neighborhood this week, the latest in a string of sightings that have put residents on alert this summer. Wildlife officials say cougar sightings tend to tick up in late summer as young cats disperse from their mother's territory in search of their own range, sometimes passing through neighborhoods that border wooded areas.

The standard guidance from wildlife officials: don't approach or feed a cougar, and keep small pets and livestock secured, especially around dawn and dusk when the animals are most active. If you do encounter one, make yourself look as large as possible, make noise, and back away slowly — never run, which can trigger a chase instinct.

Actual attacks on people remain extremely rare in Oregon, and most sightings end with the animal moving on within a day or two once it learns a yard is actively used. Still, residents near greenbelts and wooded parks are encouraged to report sightings to local non-emergency police lines so patterns can be tracked.

If you spot a cougar in your neighborhood, keeping pets indoors overnight for the next several days and letting neighbors know is usually all it takes for the animal to move along on its own.