U.S. FOREST SERVICE NEWS RELEASE :
Aggressive cougar in Freund Canyon
Leavenworth, WA– Several encounters with a cougar have occurred in the Freund Canyon area, north of Leavenworth in the last two weeks. Due to the repeated encounters and uncharacteristic behavior of the cougar, Acting Wenatchee River Ranger District Ranger, Maureen Hanson, closed Freund Canyon Trail #6701 (formerly trail #704) until further notice. Hanson said, “The Forest Service and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife are working together to remedy the situation, and expect the temporary trail closure to be for two weeks or less.”
“Cougar/human interactions are fairly rare,” said District Wildlife Biologist Don Youkey. “If you are recreating or working in that general area, take a moment to educate yourself on the types of behavior you should employ if you encounter a cougar.” Cougars like to stalk their prey, and being a cat, they will chase things that are moving and smaller than they. Youkey added, “If you encounter a cougar, stop and don’t run, face the cougar, talk to it firmly and then slowly back away; stand tall or stand on something that makes you look big, pick up small children, fight back by throwing rocks or sticks and leave pets at home.” Youkey cautions, “Never approach a cougar, especially if it is near a kill or with kittens, also never corner it or offer it food. The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey but a potential danger.”
For more information please contact the Wenatchee River Ranger District at 509.548.2550 or go to our website at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee <http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee>; or on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/OkaWenNF <http://www.twitter.com/OkaWenNF>
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801
For immediate release: August 7, 2009
Contacts: Don Youkey, Wildlife Biologist, 509.548.2580
Susan C Peterson, Public Affairs, 509.548.2558
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