Cougar roams Minneapolis enclave

A home security camera in Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood captured a rare sight in the city: a wandering cougar.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed the Monday sighting in a post on Facebook Wednesday.

There have been 77 confirmed sightings of cougars in Minnesota since 2004, according to state data last updated in September.

“It’s really rare. To have it in a densely human-populated area like that, you know, it’s just not something you’d expect,” DNR Large Carnivore Specialist Dan Stark told WCCO-TV, a Twin Cities CBS affiliate.

Minnesota does not host a puma population of its own.

“Individuals do occasionally make their way through the state from populations in the Western U.S., primarily the Dakotas,” state wildlife officials explained on Facebook. “These traveling cats tend to be young males dispersing to find new territories of their own. We’ve never been able to confirm a female of wild origin in the state, nor any breeding or kittens within Minnesota.”

Residents were surprised to see a cougar in their area.

“I thought it was one of those morning dreams where you doze off and it seems really realistic,” Rick, whose security camera caught the footage, told the StarTribune. He didn’t provide his last name.

While cougars are prone to avoiding humans, people who run into a cougar are advised to raise their arms, speak loudly and try to appear bigger, the DNR wrote on Facebook.

Officials also recommend people keep a closer eye on kids and pets.

“Parents of small children should pay increased attention when outside. Pet owners with small dogs or cats should supervise their animals when they are outdoors,” Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Director Caroline Hairfield told WCCO.