8/16/2019 Cougar Update

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As of August 16, no new sightings have been reported to the City or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) continues to support WDFW Officers the with efforts to track and locate the cougar. The City has also shared the community’s questions and concerns with WDFW and will be putting out a Q&A with their responses as soon as we hear back.

WDFW are the trained and experienced subject matter experts in wildlife management. MIPD asks that any resident who sees the cougar, immediately call 9-1-1. MIPD Officers will respond to the location as well as contact WDFW. Officers will investigate the report and make a determination with WDFW what resources to utilize to address the situation. While Mercer Island Police Officers are not trained to capture or track wildlife, they are prepared to use force if an animal poses an imminent threat to the public.

These are the sightings that have been reported to MIPD and WDFW:

6400 block of E Mercer Way (8/5)
7000 block of 94th Ave SE (8/6)
6100 block of 86th Ave SE (8/9)
5400 block of Island Crest Way (8/9)
7600 block of W Mercer Way (8/12)

For more information visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/puma-concolor