In western Washington in late May 2020, two very experienced bikers (both men in their early 30's) were stalked and attacked by a male cougar when they were biking on a remote dirt road outside North Bend (20 or so miles outside Seattle). When the men realized they were being stalked, they got off their bikes, made noise, and attempted to look larger and threatening. One of them shook his bike at the cougar and the cougar appeared to leave; however, the cat circled back and pounced, taking one of the two men's head in its jaws and shaking him violently. The other man dropped his bike and ran. The cougar dropped the first man and chased and attacked the other. The first man got on his bike, and rode 2 miles away to get cellphone coverage where he could summon help.
Investigators working with dogs found that the cougar had dragged the second victim into his den and severely mauled and killed him (with injuries to face, neck, head, and leg). The dogs treed the cougar so the investigators could remove the deceased victim, and the cougar was shot. Wildlife officials say there was something wrong with the animal; it was emaciated and its behavior was very unusual. A brain necropsy was to be performed to determine if it was sick.
It was nearly a century between this attack and the last cougar attack upon a human in Washington; however, intense and highly dense development has moved human populations into territory occupied by the animals.
In my own neighborhood outside of Seattle, cougars are occasionally seen in a large natural park area that is located adjacent to our and other housing developments. Residents are encouraged to keep domestic cats inside and dogs close by as those permitted to run loose often simply disappear. In my own neighborhood, residents have posted photos of bobcats and cougars in their yards in the early morning or at dusk. Bears regularly visit on the night garbage bins are placed at the curb for pickup early the next morning.
Two attacked by cougar identified; wildlife officials say predator was ‘emaciated’