Oregon’s Cannon Seaside Reopens After Cougar Sighting on Iconic Coastal Rock Led to Closure

CANNON BEACH, Ore. (AP) — A cougar that climbed onto a towering rock off the coast of northwest Oregon over the weekend — in all probability searching for feathered prey — has deserted the craggy formation, permitting for the favored Cannon Seaside to reopen to guests Monday.

A number of businesses and organizations, from native and state police to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Parks and Recreation Division, responded to Sunday morning’s sighting of the large cat on the enduring Haystack Rock. The seaside was closed to guard individuals and let it return to its traditional habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mentioned officers later confirmed that the animal had moved on. A sport digital camera captured a picture of it leaving the rock Sunday evening, and tracks had been additionally discovered heading away, federal officers mentioned.

State biologists consider the cougar ventured to Haystack Rock at low tide Saturday evening to hunt birds, a conduct they haven’t beforehand witnessed at that website.

“Whereas the forested areas alongside the coast are prime habitat for cougars, it’s uncommon {that a} cougar made its approach on to Haystack Rock,” Paul Atwood, a biologist with the Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife, mentioned in an announcement. “Their main meals supply is deer, however they may also devour elk, different mammals and birds.”

Nevertheless, cougars have been documented touring to different related small offshore islands in Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson Megan Nagel mentioned by way of electronic mail.

Haystack Rock, protected as a part of the Oregon Islands Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is plentiful with seabirds and sea life in the summertime.

From March by means of September, tufted puffins, frequent murres, pigeon guillemot and black oystercatcher elevate their younger on the formation.

A part of the rock is closed year-round to all public use to guard nesting and roosting birds.

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