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PARKS & RECREATION Report of cougar sighting spurs warning Cougar seen near south end of Lithia Park on Friday Comment By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 14, 2016 at 5:09 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 12:52 PM By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 14, 2016 at 5:09 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 12:52 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Runners to hit the trail to the mountaintop • City sets 'Living with Wildlife Summit' • Mountain lion seen several times in Ashland's Lithia Park • Police: Cougar reported chasing deer in Lithia Park » Social News Although Ashland’s downtown area is tame, it neighbors Lithia Park, the tip of the Ashland watershed and the home of various wildlife. A cougar sighting on the morning of Friday, June 10, near the Parks and Recreation building in Lithia Park reminds park-goers to beware of wildlife even on the neatly cleared paths. “It’s pretty typical to see wildlife like that once or twice a year, but bear sightings are more often,” said Michael Black, director of Ashland Parks and Recreation. “Generally, they’re pretty reclusive.” This is the second cougar sighting in Ashland this year, according to Sam Dodenhoff, assistant wildlife biologist for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. There were three sightings in 2015 and five cougar–related incidents, involving livestock and pet injuries or conflict. This year, there has only been two cougar-related incidents in Ashland. The park is required to post signs of sightings and safety information based on public claims. “In some areas of the park, it’s a pretty wild place,” said Black. “Because we’re so close to the interface of the city and the wild, we do what we can to take away any nuisances that may draw wildlife, such as trash.” Mid-May to July is fawning season, according to Mark Vargas, Rogue District wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Deer are cougars’ primary prey item,” said Vargas. “Although, a lot of predators are looking for fawn because they’re an easy prey source.” It’s no secret that deer frequent Lithia Park, especially the less populated fields. At times, the amount of grazing deer and wild turkeys give the park a Disney-like quality — until the more dangerous predators become comfortable there too. “There are so many deer down here,” said Black. “That is why we try to let people know that there is dangerous wildlife out here too.” Cougar sightings in past years have been near the tennis court area of the park, although that isn’t to say that they won’t be somewhere else, according to Black. “It is so rare that these animals bother people,” said Black. “They don’t have much interest in us.” It is recommended to not hike alone, keep dogs on leashes, make noise while hiking, be cautious at dawn and dusk when cougars are most active and to not feed wildlife. In the unlikely event of a cougar encounter, the cougar will most likely retreat. Always give the animal a way to escape, maintain direct eye contact and appear as large as possible, pick up children and hold them without bending, slowly back away, never run — and fight back if necessary. “There has never been a confirmed cougar attack in Oregon,” Vargas noted. All surrounding Western states have had multiple cougar attacks. “Oregon has some of the highest density of cougars in the country,” said Vargas. “That’s not to say that no one has ever been attacked, but we’ve yet to confirm a single cougar attack.” Fawning season should also remind citizens, that although deer are gentle creatures, they are still wild. Does tend to become aggressive when protecting their young. Occasionally, doe will attack when they feel threatened, according to Vargas. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says people should never feed deer, should keep a distance from them, use caution around does and their fawns, and keep pets inside when deer are in residential areas. Contact Tidings intern Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected]. By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 14, 2016 at 5:09 PM Updated Jun 15, 2016 at 12:52 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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