Cougar shot in Chicago neighborhood a wild animal
CHICAGO (AP) - Animal control experts say the cougar Chicago police shot and killed on the city's North Side is apparently a wild animal that didn't escape from captivity.
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control administrator Donna Alexander said Tuesday the cougar was a male cat with no identifying marks such as tags, tattoos or computer chips that showed it was privately owned. Police shot the large cat Monday as it ran through a residential neighborhood.
Alexander said there was a chance for an attack because it appears the cat was fending for itself. Chicago police superintendent Jody Weis lauded officers' efforts, saying there's no doubt they saved lives.
An examination found the cougar weighed 122 pounds and was 3 1/2 feet long.
Adrian Wydeven, a biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Resources, said he doesn't yet know whether the Chicago cougar is the same one confirmed in Wisconsin. He does have a DNA sample from the Wisconsin animal, and officials will conduct tests to determine if it's the same cat.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Apr 16, 2008 at 8:17 p.m.
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Oh.... a cougar.... I thought they meant John Mellancamp!!!
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
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Only in the Gazette? This most recent cougar story didn't originate with the Gazette. Under this particular story it says AP. You haven't seen this in other news outlets? What do you think the definition of a wild animal is?
Apr 16, 2008 at 11:43 a.m.
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Only in the Gazette - Cougar...a Wild Animal.
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Tomorrow in the Gazette - Most Dogs....Domesticated.
Apr 16, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.
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It would still be unusual for a wild animal to trek hundreds of miles from its home. The main reasons would be scarcity of prey or territorial competition with another cougar, and once it found new grounds it would stop. We'll probably never know why this one kept going, though.
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Once it entered a large urbanization like Chicago its fate was probably sealed, though. Either it would have eventually attacked a pet or small human, or had a run-in with a car, or something else. It was very out of its element. Coyotes have moved through downtown Chicago before (following the rail lines) but they are even less likely to aggressively encounter a human.
Apr 16, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.
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Just how many wild cougars are there running around our neighborhoods? Yes it is the same cougar. And as far as saving lives how many has this animal taken in it's tract from South Dakota to Chicago? The only thing the chicago police did is over act and make this sad ending into World News slap yourselves on your backs boys, you killed another vicious animal.NOT!!!!!!!! Just lost
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