BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Recent cougar sightings are raising concerns in a neighborhood just outside of Bellingham.
Residents in Geneva have been noticing a cougar prowling the community, with confirmed sightings dating back to mid-January.
State Department of Fish and Wildlife officer Dave Jones told Brad and John on KISM on Tuesday morning that it’s been seen killing deer near some homeowners’ yards.
But he says the department isn’t planning to take any action just yet.
“While it is being seen more than we would like it, while it is killing deer closer to homes than we would like, it has not been over the line of outrageousness that requires it to be either caught and moved or caught and euthanized,” Jones said.
Jones says the cougar would have to attack a domestic animal-like livestock or pets for Fish and Wildlife to get involved.
In the meantime, he has one piece of advice for residents.
“Please stop feeding the deer in your neighborhood. These cats are running the ridges like they always have from [roughly] Blanchard past Padden and then into the background there all through Sudden Valley, they’ve always been there,” Jones said. “But because, in part, of all the deer feeding, that’s where all the food’s at.”
Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact Fish and Wildlife.
