Cougar, bear spotted near LCC campus
EUGENE, Ore. - Lane Community College cautioned students after sightings of a cougar rooting through a trash can overnight and a bear near campus Wednesday morning.
"Sightings of deer, cougars, and bears have occurred throughout the years at Lane Community College," the message to students reads. "The most recent sightings were a bear on Gonyea Road near the access road this morning and a cougar that may have been in the trash cans reportedly seen during the night."
KVAL News visited the LCC campus. A security officer showed a reporter where the sightings took place.
Students are aware - but not overly concerned.
"Until I see a bear or a cougar, I probably won't worry too much about it," Travis Winitzky said.
If you encounter a cougar
- Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Leave the animal a way to escape.
- Stay calm and stand your ground.
- Maintain direct eye contact.
- Pick up children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
- Back away slowly.
- Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
- Raise your voice and speak firmly.
- If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
- If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available.
