DUNTHORPE, Ore. — Video cameras at a home in Dunthorpe captured a cougar on the property Sunday night.
The home is near Tryon Creek State Natural Area and Terwilliger Boulevard. Dunthorpe is located south of the Portland city limits and northeast of Lake Oswego.
There have been no reported injuries to people or animals in the area.
A neighborhood security company, Riverdale Dunthorpe Patrol, notified the Oregon State Police fish and wildlife division. OSP then notified the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
On Tuesday, a high school student said he saw a cougar about one mile southwest of the welcome center at Tryon State Natural Area. He reported the sighting to a ranger.
ODFW has the following guidelines for people who encounter a cougar:
- Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. 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.