WHeaton (IL) folks, watch out for the Cougars!

[JR6ooo4]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1772412,cougar-wheaton-091509.article

BY DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter

It’s back — maybe.

Wheaton police on Tuesday received a second report of a possible cougar sighting — and officers this time found a good-sized feline footprint.

Police plan to have a wildlife expert examine photos of the footprint to see if it could belong to a cougar or other wild cat.

“I’m no expert, but it looks bigger than a normal-sized cat,” Wheaton Deputy Chief Thomas Meloni said of the footprint.

The Tuesday afternoon sighting occurred along a creek in a residential area of the western suburb — about a quarter mile from Northside Park.

A jogger last Friday reported that while she was running in the park she spotted a large, dark-colored or black cat that was larger than her 60-pound dog.

No footprints or other evidence, however, was found after the first sighting, police said.

While there have been other reported sightings of cougars in the Chicago area, there’s only been one confirmed report — in Chicago.

Chicago police in April 2008 shot and killed a 124-pound male cougar on the city’s Northwest Side. Tests indicated the cougar was genetically similar to big cat living in South Dakota, the nearest state with an established population of the animals.

Yikes!

Mikeeee

 

[JR6ooo4]

A second spotting of a large black cat -- possibly a cougar -- was reported near a creek in west suburban Wheaton on Tuesday, police announced.

The possible cougar sighting was reported during the daylight hours in the area of Cole and Bridle near a creek, according to a release from Wheaton police. The cat was described as large and black in color.

Officers checked the area and recovered a possible paw print, which will be examined by a wildlife expert, police said.

Police say the cat may be a cougar, though there are no black cougars. The cougar, also called a mountain lion, panther, puma or catamount, is generally tawny in color, but can also be silvery-grey or reddish, according to wildlife web sites. There are no big cats native to the United States which are black in color.

The initial big cat sighting was reported to police Friday, although it actually happened about dusk on Friday, Sept. 4., police said.

A young woman who was running with her dog near a bridge in Northside Park saw a large black cat -- larger than her dog of 60 pounds. As her dog approached the cat, it stood up and ran off into a wooded area.

Officers continue to patrol the area near the second sighting Tuesday evening.

Anyone who has seen a cougar, mountain lion or any unusual animal is asked to call 911.

Mikeeee