WDFW invites public to meeting in Ridgefield to discuss cougars

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct a public meeting Monday, Nov. 19 in Ridgefield to discuss ways to avoid conflicts with cougars and help wildlife officers respond to reports of cougar sightings.

A question-and-answer session will follow a presentation by WDFW wildlife biologists and enforcement officers on issues ranging from cougar biology to how and when to report a cougar sighting.

The meeting is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at WDFW’s regional office in Ridgefield at 5525 S. 11th St.

“Recent cougar sightings in southwest Washington have brought an increasing number of calls to our offices,” said Stefanie Bergh, a WDFW wildlife biologist. “This meeting will give the public a chance to talk directly to area wildlife managers about any questions or concerns they have about how to co-exist with this native Northwest species.”