Cougar Sightings and Attacks Near Popular Trails have this Community on Alert

2025 seems to be the year of the cougar, with sightings and encounters shutting down lifts at Whistler Bike Park earlier this year, and now, with more sightings, including a recent attack in Olympic National Park outside of Seattle, mountain bikers in the area are encouraged to be extra alert while riding in Duthie Hill.

The National Park Service announced on Monday that a four-year-old girl had been attacked and bitten by a cougar on July 20th near the Victoria Overlook area in Olympic National Park. The child was taken via LifeFlight to a Trauma Center in Seattle and has since been discharged from the hospital and is expected to make a recovery.

Although this attack occurred quite a distance away from Sammaish, Washington, and the popular Duthie Hill Bike Park, there has been an increase in cougar sightings in the area, prompting some riders to be on the lookout for these big cats. There have been multiple sightings of cougars in the area in just the month of July alone, and this is something new for a lot of the riders and trail users. 

One user on Reddit claimed to have seen a cougar cub climbing a tree near one of the more popular trails at Duthie Hill, saying, "It got startled by my dog (on a leash, next to me), climbed down quickly, and ran into the bush. I did not stick around to find out if Mama wanted to have a word with me..." Other commenters have also shared their experiences with cougars in the area. 

"My friend encountered the cougar when it was getting dark. A few days later, while driving by the park, I heard the cougar’s distinctive screams, also when it was almost dark," shared one Reddit user when asked if Duthie was safe to ride. "My suggestion is to go during daylight hours and preferably with others, or at least stick to the most heavily trafficked paths." 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has stated that, over the last 100 years, there have been only two deadly cougar attacks in Washington, and only 20 other recorded encounters that resulted in injury to humans. Despite the odds, the WDFW has still encouraged people in the area to remain cautious and be vigilant for these native predators.

It's also important to remember that we are sharing and encroaching on the natural habitat of these creatures, and their behavior can be unpredictable.  

The WDFW has provided some tips if you find yourself in close proximity to a cougar.

• Stop, pick up small children immediately, and don’t run. Running and rapid movements may trigger an attack. Remember, at close range, a cougar’s instinct is to chase.
• Face the cougar. Talk to it firmly while slowly backing away. Always leave the animal an escape route.
• Try to appear larger than the cougar. Get above it (e.g., step up onto a rock or stump). If wearing a jacket, hold it open to further increase your apparent size. If you are in a group, stand shoulder-to-shoulder to appear intimidating.
• Do not take your eyes off the cougar or turn your back. Do not crouch down or try to hide.