Cougar tracked after alpacas, goat killed

COYLE — Mark and Ally Stratton lost three alpacas and a milk goat in the past 2 1/2 weeks, and a state Fish and Wildlife agent believes all died from cougar attacks.

The Strattons, who live at 214 Gien Drive near the tip of Toandos Peninsula, reported that two alpacas were found dead this morning in a corral near their home and that another one was killed Tuesday.

“I walked down there at 8 this morning and they were fine,” Mark Stratton said. “At 8:30, they were dead.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Port Townsend-based Sgt. Phil Henry with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said that he and a dog tracker hunted the cougar for more than three hours late this morning and early this afternoon.

Dry, warmer weather conditions, which cause an animal’s scent to evaporate quickly, made it nearly impossible to track the animal, which would likely be destroyed, he said.

“I would say he’s bigger than the alpaca,” Henry said. “He’s a bigger cat — I’m guessing over 70 pounds.”

While other reports of cougar related deaths have come in recent weeks, including the death of three miniature horses and a number of turkeys, Henry said he could not confirm if they were cougar kills.

He said many people fail to report domestic animal deaths on their properties, which can prolong cougar attacks.

All cougar or other wildlife-related attacks on domestic animals should be immediately reported to the State Patrol by phoning 360-478-4646 or 9-1-1.

________

Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Ballots to be mailed Wednesday for special election

Four school districts put forward measures

Connor Cunningham of Port Townsend, an employee of the Port of Port Townsend, hangs a sign for new business owner Lori Hanemann of Port Townsend on Friday at her shop in what was a former mortgage office at Point Hudson Marina. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Shop sign

Connor Cunningham of Port Townsend, an employee of the Port of Port… Continue reading

Teenager receives heart transplant after 12-hour surgery

Additional surgery was expected to close chest

f
Readers give $108K in donations to Home Fund

Donations can be made for community grants this spring

Red Parsons, left, Kitty City assistant manager who will help run the Bark House, and Paul Stehr-Green, Olympic Peninsula Humane Society board president and acting executive director, stand near dog kennels discussing the changes they are making to the Bark House to ensure dogs are in a comfortable, sanitary environment when the facility reopens in February. (Emma Maple/Peninsula Daily News)
Humane Society officials plan to reopen Bark House

Facility, closed since last July, could be open by Valentine’s Day

Clallam EDC awarded $4.2M grant

Federal funding to support forest industry

Firm contacts 24 agencies for potential OMC partner

Hospital on timeline for decision in May

Port Townsend nets $5.3 million in transportation grants

Public works considers matching funds options

Holly Hildreth of Port Townsend, center, orders a latte for the last time at the Guardhouse, a cafe at Fort Worden State Park, on Wednesday. At noon the popular cafe was to close permanently, leaving an empty space for food, drinks and restroom facilities in the park. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Fort Worden Hospitality closes business operations

Organization faced with ‘legal limbo’ because lease was rejected

Clallam fire districts providing automatic support

Mutual aid helps address personnel holes

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Daily News relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in