There's A Cougar On Mercer Island

MERCER ISLAND, WA — There's been a confirmed cougar sighting on Mercer Island, according to city officials.

The animal was reported to police early Monday morning after it was seen near Pioneer Park. A short time later, a surveillance camera captured an image of the cougar walking along East Mercer Way, just east of Pioneer Park.

"Cougars are most active from dusk to dawn and can occasionally appear in areas of dense human habitation, though this is very uncommon on Mercer Island. Such appearances are almost always brief, with the animal moving along quickly in its search of a more suitable permanent home," city officials said in a press release.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified, city officials said. You can read about what to do if you see a cougar on the WDFW website.

Mercer Island isn't the only city around frequented by cougars. On July 26, a cougar was seen walking through Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland.