Cougars in Port Angeles
This seems to be a hot topic lately, judging by a recent article in the Peninsula Daily News and several letters to the editor. Who are the "invaders" here, cougars or people?
Personally I think that since we live in one of the most remote areas of the country and we're right on the edge of Olympic National Park, being "invaded" by cougars (and other wildlife) is part of the package. Then again I might think differently if my yard was invaded, or a family member threatened, by a cougar.
What do YOU think?
Personally I think that since we live in one of the most remote areas of the country and we're right on the edge of Olympic National Park, being "invaded" by cougars (and other wildlife) is part of the package. Then again I might think differently if my yard was invaded, or a family member threatened, by a cougar.
What do YOU think?
Labels: cougars, Olympic National Park, Port Angeles
posted by Tom Harper at 4:21 PM
6 Comments:
Thats funny, humans being unhappy about not being at the top of the food chain. There is a similar debate going on about grizzley bears and wolves too.
Much like bears, cougars are territorial and not only do the younger ones get pushed out of 'mommy's' yard, they have very poor hunting skills and being hungry, will take down about anything. Dogs, cats, kids, etc.
Do we eradicate them from areas we live in? We certainly do with, say, misquitoes, rats, etc with very little debate. Cougars are 'cute' (well at least until they start biting you), the others are not.
Living out in the country means you experience nature, as it is. You should accept the risks (be it dangerous wildlife, fire, floods) that come with it or move somewhere where you do. You could trade it for being mugged in NYC for example.
Personally I have encountered both cats and bears. They are both cautious and opportunistic. Just being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of a lot of trouble.
The people who are complaining about cougars should move to an urban area. After they've encountered a few 2-legged predators they'll probably wish that cougars were the biggest problem they had to worry about.
I'm more annoyed by all the "tame" raccoons. What is with people feeding the little buggers? I have a huge problem with one that comes up and actually scratches at the door (and also eats my chickens and ducks and terrorizes the cats) and is out at 4pm!!
One of my neighbors has been feeding them for years...and don't seem to get that they aren't pets.
Give people enough time, and they'll start feeding the cougars and bears..and then we'll have a REAL PROBLEM!
I love the raccoons. Another species that needs to be here, and which we need to not crowd out. They were here first.
I love raccoons, I have several pelts stretched and drying out in an old shed. Nice fur, but nasty little creatures though and there certainly isn't any shortage of them with amount of pet food and garbage outside of people's houses.
..."love raccoons"? I think that they have their place, but with people feeding them, putting (and leaving) petfood out all night, and not securing trash cans they're way over populated, and much too bold. And, they kill things. They kill poultry, and also small kittens (wish I were kidding, but we lost three to the masked marauders last year..tore them to bits!) They aren't that cute!!!
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