File photo of a cougar and cougar paw print. (ODFW)

UPDATED: 2/24/2020 @ 1:47 PM

KFN received the following statement from Michelle Dennehy, Communications Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“An ODFW biologist and a USDA Wildlife Services agent conducted a site visit to investigate the dead goats on Friday 2/21 and determined that cougar predation was responsible.

A live trap was set by wildlife managers and monitored by the landowner through the weekend but there was no cougar activity in the trap during the weekend. Trapping efforts continue.

Under Oregon laws, cougars may be killed when they are causing damage to livestock or when they are a public safety threat. Note that landowners may kill a cougar or bear causing damage or a public safety threat without a permit. However, it must be reported to ODFW and the animal checked in to a local office within 10 days (for data collection that goes into population modelling efforts). Per ORS 498.012 and 498.166.

ODFW did receive a call about a cougar sighting in the area (about 3 miles away) on Wednesday, when hikers observed four cougars on a deer kill on a remote hillside. Note that while cougars are typically solitary, juvenile cougars can remain with their mother for even up to 18 months. When multiple cougars are observed together, it is usually the mother cougar with her young.

We will continue to monitor and respond as there are new developments.”

Over the weekend Klamath Falls News received an email contact from a concerned resident in Bly regarding potential cougar issues in the small town where it has allegedly attacked and killed livestock.

We want to know
Have you seen a cougar or signs of a cougar in the Bly area? If so, let us know.

According to ODFW, Oregon is home to more than 6,000 wild cougars or mountain lions. While cougar sightings and encounters are rare, it is wise to educate yourself about the big cats.

Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. If you encounter a cougar in the wild do the following:

Leave the animal a way to escape
Stay calm and stand your ground.
Maintain direct eye contact.
Pick up children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
Back away slowly.
Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
Raise your voice and speak firmly.
If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available

Native to Oregon, cougars range throughout the state, the highest densities occur in the Blue Mountains in the northeastern part of the state and in the southwestern Cascade Mountains.

Their primarily food source is deer, but they will also consume elk, raccoons, bighorn sheep, and other mammals and birds. Cougars are territorial animals and maintain home ranges of up to 100 miles. Most active at dawn and dusk, cougars are lone hunters.

They are generally solitary animals, except for mothers who remain with kittens for about two years.

While actual cougar sightings have increased, coyotes, bobcats and dogs are often mistaken for cougars. A cougar can be identified by its large size, cat-like appearance, consistent tan or tawny body color, and long tail.

An adult cougar's tail is nearly three feet long and a third to a half of its total length. Cougar tracks can be differentiated from dog tracks by paying attention to detail.

Report any cougar sighting or encounter to a local ODFW office or Oregon State Police office.