A cougar visits the beach
(JULY 21, 2023) Haystack Rock is on the Oregon Coast. Last week, Haystack Rock had a special visitor. A big cat came to Haystack Rock. It was a cougar.
This visit was unusual. Cougars usually live in the forest. They don't usually go to the coast. Maybe it came to find birds.
People wanted to help the cougar. They closed the beach. The cougar left. They opened the beach again.
There are about 6,000 cougars in Oregon. But it is unusual to see them. They like to be alone.
Cougars are dangerous. What do you do if you see a cougar?
Don't run. Cougars can chase you.
Speak loudly and firmly.
Look into their eyes.
Walk backward slowly.
Sometimes a cougar won't leave. It looks mean. What do you do?
Look bigger. Raise your arms. Clap your hands.
Fight with rocks and sticks.
De Dios , Austin . “Cougar on Oregon’s Haystack Rock Was Likely Searching for Snacks, Officials Say.” Oregonlive, 18 July 2023, www.oregonlive.com/news/2023/07/cougar-on-oregons-haystack-rock-was-likely-searching-for-snacks-officials-say.html. Accessed 19 July 2023.
Photo by Tim Mossholder: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-walking-on-seashore-3308771/