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Cougar seen in Ashland is still around Efforts to trap a cougar that has been seen roaming the hills of Ashland have not succeeded, and state wildlife officials say they are prepared to use hounds to find the animal. "There's a lot of concern in the community because this cougar is showing little fear of humans ... We're just not comfortable with that," said Merv Wolfer, a wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The big cat has been seen in Ashland's wooded areas, but the animal also has ventured into the city near Southern Oregon University. Wildlife officials said the cougar's brazen behavior could lead to confrontations with Ashland residents. It's a risk they just don't want to take, Wolfer said. Officials will have to wait to use the hounds until the cougar is seen in town or they find the remains of an animal killed by the big cat. It's illegal to use hounds to hunt cougars in Oregon, but a provision of a state statute allows the method if there is a risk to livestock or humans. Wildlife officials have tried to catch the cat with a trap, but so far have managed only to capture three sheep. In early February, an Ashland police officer shot and killed a cougar that had been seen in the city. An autopsy at a federal forensics lab in Ashland confirmed that the cougar was suffering from enteric corona virus, an infection that keeps the sufferer from absorbing nutrients from ingested food. Contrary to what wildlife officials have said previously, domestic cats cannot be vaccinated for enteric corona virus. The disease generally causes mild diarrhea in domestic animals. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA