Chicago Wildlife News: More possible cougar sightings in suburbs

More possible cougar sightings in suburbs

(UPDATED: 9/17/09) More big cat sightings have been reported in Chicago's far western suburbs.

In Wheaton, there's now been a second report of large dark cat, possibly a cougar, on the loose, according to police.

And in the Naperville area, someone reported seeing a large wild cat.

So there have been at least three reported sightings in recent weeks. In the first one, a dog-walker told police that she spotted a large, dark "mountain cat" earlier this month in a Wheaton park.

The young woman was running with her dog at Northside Park in the far western suburb when she saw the big cat in the brush, said Wheaton Deputy Police Chief Tom Meloni.

The dog approached the cat, which then "hissed" and took off, Meloni said. The dog, at roughly 60 pounds, was smaller than the cat, the woman relayed to police.

The park borders a marsh area and is near the Illinois Prairie Path, so there's natural terrain for miles.

The woman apparently is from the western part of the country, and is familiar with cougars (that's a file photo above), so initially didn't think anything of it, Meloni said. But after relaying the story to friends, they urged her to tell police, which she did on Sept. 11, a week after the sighting, he said.

Police put out an alert so the public knew of the situation, Meloni said.

Experts examined paw prints found at one of the sites but don't believe they're from a cougar, also known as a puma or mountain lion.

Cougar sightings are rare in the Midwest, but are getting more common. There was one recently in Wisconsin, and several years back there was one in Lynwood. Of course, a cougar shot and killed by Chicago police made big news last year.

Below are copies of the news releases put out by Wheaton police:

Possible Cougar Sighting Update

WHEATON, Ill. ¬ Wheaton Police Department Evidence Technicians successfully lifted paw print impressions from the creek bed where the cat was seen on Sept. 15.

These castings were taken to Brookfield Zoo, where several experts familiar with different species of mammals examined the impression castings and photographs of the paw prints.

Results of the examination were inconclusive. The mammal curator ruled out the print being from canines (dog, coyote) or a fox. The print was consistent with a large cat, possibly a medium-sized cougar or other exotic cat.

The Police Department will continue its research and will continue to patrol the area. Residents are reminded to supervise children and pets, and leave no pet food outside.

The DuPage County Forest Preserve Police Department has been notified and is also patrolling the Forest Preserves, including Lincoln Marsh.

Should anyone observe a large cat, cougar or other exotic cat, they should avoid the animal and call 9-1-1.
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Second Possible Cougar Sighting

WHEATON, Ill.--On Sept 15, 2009, the Wheaton Police Department received a second report of a possible cougar sighting that occurred during the daytime in the area of Cole and Bridle near a creek.

The cat was described as large and black in color. Officers checked the area and recovered a possible paw print and will have the photo of the print examined by a wildlife expert.

Officers will continue to patrol the area.

Should anyone observe a cougar, mountain lion or unusual animal, please phone us at 9-1-1 immediately. Officers will respond to investigate.
###

WHEATON, Ill. -- On Sept. 11, 2009, the Wheaton Police Department received a delayed report of a possible cougar sighting that occurred at about dusk on the evening of Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. A young woman who was running with her dog in Northside Park near the bridge area observed a large black cat that was larger than her dog of 60 pounds. As her dog approached the cat, the cat stood and ran off into the wooded area.

The department has received no additional reports of this or any other cougar sighting.

Should anyone observe a cougar, mountain lion or unusual animal, please call us at 9-1-1 immediately. Officers will respond to investigate. ###

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