According to reporting by MyNorthwest, at least three cougars were spotted moving through a Bellingham neighborhood on Thursday morning, prompting a response from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). WDFW officials were contacted by residents after the animals were seen near homes and a mailbox area.
In an interview with KIRO 7, a Bellingham resident described seeing what appeared to be a mother cougar and two younger animals moving along a fence line. Video of the encounter, recorded by a neighbor, shows the animals walking calmly through the area.
WDFW officials, as reported by MyNorthwest, advised that certain human behaviors—particularly feeding deer or other wildlife—can inadvertently draw predators like cougars into residential areas. The agency also recommended that residents monitor outdoor pets and consider keeping them indoors when cougar activity is reported nearby.
WDFW stated that it will continue monitoring the Bellingham neighborhood for additional sightings or signs of the animals.
While the incident occurred in Whatcom County, WDFW’s safety guidance applies broadly across Western Washington, including Cowlitz County. Cougars are native to the region, and occasional sightings occur in rural and semi-rural parts of Longview, Kelso, and surrounding unincorporated areas—particularly where residential development overlaps with forested habitat. WDFW’s recommendations emphasize reducing attractants, securing livestock, and promptly reporting sightings to the agency so biologists can assess patterns and potential risks.
As of the information reported by MyNorthwest and KIRO 7, the Bellingham sightings remain under WDFW observation, with no confirmed threats to the public.
Sources
MyNorthwest: Three cougars spotted in Bellingham neighborhood, WDFW investigating
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