Recent cougar sightings at Minto-Brown Island Park are a reason for caution, not alarm. Unconfirmed reports suggest multiple cougars have been seen around dusk and dawn.
Cougars are usually solitary, but a mother and its juvenile offspring can travel together for up to two years, at which point the juveniles can be as big as their mother.
Cougars are normally elusive and wary of people so it is rare to see one. They are most active at dawn and dusk. When enjoying the outdoors, stay alert and make noise when using trails. Keep dogs on a leash.
If you see a cougar:
- Stay calm and stand your ground.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Pick up children without bending down or turning your back.
- Back away slowly—don’t run.
- Speak firmly and raise your voice.
- If the cougar acts aggressively, raise your arms to look bigger and clap.
Cougars usually retreat if they can. If attacked, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, or any available items.
Report cougar sightings to the district ODFW office in Corvallis at (541) 757-4186. Report human safety concerns to Oregon State Police at *OSP.
