By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

HENRY COUNTY, Ill. — About 50 Henry County residents met with a representative of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Nov. 18 to discuss their concerns about reported cougar sightings.

“It was brown or tan and it was definitely a cougar,” said Robert Lopez of Geneseo.

Julie and Doug Beigert believe their two horses were attacked by a cougar in September. “I don’t know if it was a cougar, but I guarantee it wasn’t a coyote,” Julie Beigert said.

Dennis and Donna Fortune of rural Geneseo also believe their Arabian mare was attacked by a cougar.

DNR Capt. Greg Hunter told the crowd his agency can document a cougar attack, but it’s difficult. “My job is to document. I’m not trying to be a government push-off, but we can’t be government hunters,” he said.

He said cougars are not protected under Illinois wildlife code. He said they can be shot, but cautioned against vigilante groups combing rural areas and shooting a horse or another person. Hunter said if a cougar is shot in Illinois, the DNR will investigate if it might have been an illegal pet.

While not typically seen in Illinois, cougars were indigenous at one time. Three sightings have been confirmed in Illinois in recent years. About eight years ago, one was found shot by an arrow in Mercer County. Prior to that, another was killed by a train in southern Illinois and more recently, another was shot by a suburban Chicago policeman.

According to the website www.natureskills.com there are several things humans can do to avoid a cougar attack. First, never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all wild animals are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.

Always give a cougar an avenue of escape. Stay calm and talk to the cat in a confident voice.

Pick up children immediately, as children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.

Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.

Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.

Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don’t crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a cougar behaves aggressively, the site urges to arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and convince the animal you are a threat, not prey.

If a cougar attacks, fight back. Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists and fishing poles.

Hunter said there have been no reported public safety or human encounters with cougars in Illinois. Despite numerous calls about cougar sightings, Hunter could not say for certain that cougars are in the area.

Anyone spotting a cougar is urged to try to get a picture and submit it to the local sheriff or police, or the DNR. Hunter said the Henry County meeting provided a good forum for sharing information.