Neighbors in Bellingham’s Geneva neighborhood are on alert after a cougar was caught on camera padding through driveways and slipping through brush just east of town. Motion-activated home and trail cameras have picked up the big cat in broad daylight, according to residents, and families say they are keeping kids inside and pets on a tight watch. The steady stream of sightings has pushed neighbors to contact county officials while state wildlife officers sort through the reports.
Video aired Friday shows the cougar strolling along a driveway before disappearing into nearby vegetation, according to KIRO 7. The station reports that neighbors shared the clip after spotting the cat close to homes, and that the footage bounced around local social media almost immediately. People in the Geneva area then reached out to local authorities and wildlife officials once the video started circulating.
As reported by The Bellingham Herald, residents told county leaders the cougar has been hanging around the neighborhood since early December and has cached deer between houses. Several parents told the paper they are keeping small children indoors more than usual while they wait to see what officials will do. The Herald noted that Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife outreach staff are asking residents to report every sighting so officers can decide whether the animal poses a public-safety risk.
What officials recommend
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife advises that if you encounter a cougar, you should stop, pick up small children, make yourself look as large as possible, and back away slowly, according to WDFW. The agency notes that cougars commonly cache their kills and may stay near a carcass, and it says attacks on humans are rare. WDFW estimates there are roughly 2,400 independent-aged cougars in Washington. Residents are urged not to approach partially eaten deer, to keep pets indoors at dawn and dusk, and to report sightings so officers can decide on next steps.
Neighbors pressing for removal
Several Geneva residents told The Bellingham Herald they want state wildlife officers to trap or remove the cougar before someone gets hurt, saying the cat’s daytime appearances have made them uneasy. WDFW officials told the Herald the department typically steps in more aggressively when a cougar starts treating pets or livestock as prey, and that removal, which can be lethal, may be considered to protect public safety. Whatcom County commissioners heard the neighborhood’s concerns at a Feb. 10 meeting and passed them along to state staff.
Sightings near the urban edge are not unusual in Whatcom County and have become more visible as trail users and homeowners share camera clips online, Cascadia Daily has reported. For non-emergency predatory wildlife issues, WDFW asks residents to call 877-933-9847 or use its online reporting form so incidents can be logged and investigators can decide whether the animal should be removed, relocated or monitored more closely. In the meantime, neighbors are being urged to lock up attractants, keep pets leashed, and closely supervise children outdoors while the agency evaluates the situation.
