Spotting a cougar on a home security camera can be startling, but Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials say a single sighting doesn't necessarily require a report. What the animal is doing — and whether it returns — matters more.
Here's what to know
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials say the cougar found at a Moab business was a young, healthy male. The agency's biologists successfully tranquilized it, KUTV reported.
Public safety, protecting mule deer populations, and avoiding problems for livestock producers were requirements for the cougar's next location. DWR was working to find a suitable site and relocate the animal.
DWR had already received many reports about bears as they ventured close to communities. The Moab cougar encounter added to what appeared to be a statewide increase in wildlife encounters.
More background
More sightings may raise concerns, but they don't necessarily mean more animals are entering neighborhoods.
Doorbell and security cameras may capture passing cougars and bears even when no one notices them. DWR officials said the growing use of those devices could help explain the increase in sightings, KUTV reported.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Utah's canyons, mountains, and foothills are both wildlife habitat and visitor destinations. According to KUTV, DWR officials said more people were also visiting those areas, creating more opportunities for encounters.
When animals travel farther into valleys to find food, they can end up closer to homes and businesses. DWR said weather effects on mountain vegetation prompted many animals to make that search.
What can be done?
Report a cougar that repeatedly appears on a home security camera, but a single recording of one passing through does not require a report. According to KUTV, DWR also urged residents to report an animal that acts aggressively or has killed something nearby.
DWR recommends staying upright, making yourself look larger, and maintaining eye contact during an in-person cougar encounter. Officials also warned against approaching the animal or running away.
Where can I learn more?
Wildlife encounters in other states have also prompted calls to police and decisions about trapping or relocation.
• Washington cougars push deer from roads, reducing vehicle collisions by up to 76%.
• In Kirkland, Wash., police responding to a homeowner's 911 call found a bobcat inside.
• In Florida, a camera trap captured a bobcat attacking an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
• In Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., a coyote chased students, prompting Westchester to consider trapping.
• In Colorado, officials rescued a bear cub from a tree before tagging and relocation.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
