Please Stop Reporting All Visiting Cougars

A lot of people in Utah are reporting wildlife sightings, especially of cougars that stray into town. The state’s Division of Wildlife Resources is getting so many calls that this week it asked everyone to relax: you needn’t report it every time you see a big cat.

There are a couple reasons why wildlife reports are increasing. Humans are spreading into animal habitats; in Utah, that means into foothills or canyons – where the wildlife lives. Also there are more home doorbells and security cameras, so humans are seeing more things with mechanical eyes that never blink.

On top of that, you’ll see more cougars “during the winter months when they follow food-seeking deer to lower elevations,” according to the DVR. So don’t call it in if you see a cougar unless you’ve seen it kill something or act aggressively or keep showing up on your doorstep.

The DVR has similar advice in place for bears (which do not show their faces much in winter anyway), deer, and birds of prey. Moose, on the other hand, should always be reported when they stray within human settlements since they tend to hang around and need to be safely relocated.

“Urban environments, which include fences and vehicles, can be unsafe for moose,” the agency said in a statement. “Avoid approaching moose or attempting to ‘herd’ them out of yards or roads. Moose can be very aggressive, especially around dogs.” They can also weigh some 1,400 pounds. 

Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources