Large cat spotted on backyard camera near Bellingham. Here’s what you should know
A large cat was spotted on a security camera in the backyard of Glenhaven resident Trevin Sims over the weekend.
Sims shared the video on the social media website Nextdoor.
“Just a heads up to neighbors this was my back porch at 1:15 am this morning in Glenhaven. Very large cat,” the Nextdoor post said.
The post drew a lot of reactions and comments from neighbors.
Sims told The Bellingham Herald he believes the cat is about 6 feet long, “based on the cement slab behind my house.”
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed to The Herald that the large cat is a cougar.
“While often exciting, it is not particularly uncommon to get video of these big cats on Ring-style cameras, “trail cameras” or other security cameras in suburban or rural areas of western Washington, especially in areas where deer or other prey species are present,” WDFW Communications Manager Chase Gunnell said in an email to The Herald.
WDFW estimates there are approximately 3,600 cougars in Washington state — a population level that is considered healthy.
Cougars are a native big cat species that are important for Washington’s ecosystems and help maintain healthy populations of deer, elk and other wildlife, according to the WDFW.
“While cougars are often around us, they’re rarely seen. Getting to see a cougar is a rare occurrence, and it’s not always a safety concern,” Gunnell told The Herald.
Public safety precautions
Cougar habitat sometimes overlaps human-populated areas and can result in predation of livestock or pets if the proper safety precautions are not taken.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends taking the following steps to prevent conflict:
▪ Modify the habitat around your home by lighting walkways after dark. Don’t plant landscaping that deer like to eat. Keep shrubs and trees around play areas pruned.
▪ Don’t feed wildlife or feral cats.
▪ Don’t feed your cats and dogs outside unattended.
▪ Close off spaces under structures.
▪ Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
▪ Keep your livestock and domestic animals in secure pens and away from forest boundaries, especially at night.
▪ Consider using a guard animal if you have a larger property.
What to do if you encounter a cougar
The Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends taking the following steps if you accidentally come into close contact with a cougar:
▪ Stop and pick up small children.
▪ Do not run. Running and rapid movements may trigger an animal to chase and perhaps attack.
▪ Face the cougar. Talk firmly to it while slowly backing away. Make sure the animal has an escape route.
▪ Do not take your eyes off the cougar or turn your back. Do not crouch down or hide.
▪ Do not approach the cougar.
▪ If the cougar does not flee, be more assertive. Shout, wave your arms, and throw objects at the cougar to scare it away.
▪ If the cougar attacks, fight back. Be aggressive and try to stay on your feet.
▪ Use bear spray or pepper spray if you have it.
If you see a cougar, and it is threatening a person’s safety, contact Fish and Wildlife Enforcement by calling 877-933-9847 or submit an online report.
If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Glenhaven is a small neighborhood in Sedro-Woolley, about a 25-minute drive from downtown Bellingham.
This story was originally published April 10, 2024 at 9:20 AM.
