Current:Home > NewsSurpassing:'Cougar' sighting in Tigard, Oregon was just a large house cat: Oregon Fish and Wildlife -AssetTrainer
Surpassing:'Cougar' sighting in Tigard, Oregon was just a large house cat: Oregon Fish and Wildlife
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-09 07:09:10
Oregonians can Surpassingbreathe a sigh of relief, because what was thought to be a cougar sighting in the state has instead turned out to be a large house cat.
The state agency said that the "cougar" seen in Tigard, Oregon, a city about 10 miles southwest of Portland, on Nov. 16 was in fact, a house cat and was no cause for alarm.
"This happens more than you think," the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife posted on X, confirming the animal was not in fact a large, wild and dangerous predator.
In a grainy video of the cat posted on X, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the biggest indicator it was not a cougar was the animal's size compared to a nearby tree and compost or garbage bin. The fence, also seen in the video, is likely 6 feet tall, the agency said, which puts the cat at less than a foot tall in height.
Tigard has had confirmed cougar sightings in the past, the city's public works department posted on social media, but thankfully, last week's sighting was not one of them.
Watch:Video shows elk charge at Colorado couple: 'Felt like we were in an Indiana Jones film'
Where do cougars live in the U.S.?
While they were once found in all over the contiguous 48 U.S. states, breeding populations of cougars are now found in just 16 states, primarily in the Midwest and Western regions of the country, including Oregon. They are also found in Texas and Florida, according to the Cougar Fund.
They are classified as game species and can be hunted for sport in 13 states: Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas and North Dakota.
NPS:Hiker who was missing for more than a week at Big Bend National Park found alive
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Alabama lawyer accused of sexually assaulting handcuffed inmate, lawsuit says
- North Dakota lawmaker dies at 54 following cancer battle
- Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey announce engagement with new photos
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Wisconsin’s Evers urges federal judge not to make changes at youth prison in wake of counselor death
- Rob Schneider Responds to Daughter Elle King Calling Out His Parenting
- David Hasselhoff Is a Grandpa, Daughter Taylor Welcomes First Baby With Madison Fiore
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- 'RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars': Premiere date, cast, where to watch and stream
Ranking
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- New York county signs controversial mask ban meant to hide people's identities in public
- Sofía Vergara reveals why she wanted to hide her curvy figure for 'Griselda' role
- What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
- 'Alien: Romulus' movie review: Familiar sci-fi squirms get a sheen of freshness
- Stuffed or real? Photos show groundhog stuck inside claw machine
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Meta kills off misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle despite pleas from researchers, journalists
Horoscopes Today, August 14, 2024
Jim Harbaugh wants to hire Colin Kaepernick to Chargers' coaching staff. Will the QB bite?
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Massachusetts governor signs law phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighters’ gear
Drugs to treat diabetes, heart disease and blood cancers among those affected by price negotiations
Sofía Vergara Responds After Joe Manganiello Says Her Reason for Divorce Is “Not True”