Juvenile Cougar Euthanized Near Corvallis After Livestock Kill

A juvenile male cougar near northwest Corvallis, Oregon, was euthanized after it killed a goat and displayed no fear of humans while moving through residential backyards. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), responded to the incident and deemed the animal a threat to human safety. Officials noted this cougar was likely one of several seen on cameras within Corvallis city limits, but not the frequently reported adult cougar. Undersheriff Don Rogers emphasized that euthanasia is a last resort, taken only when wildlife poses a direct threat to people or livestock, underscoring the responsibility to protect the community. ODFW advises residents in edge-of-city and rural areas to secure livestock and pets, use fencing or guard animals, and report dangerous cougar behavior to authorities. The incident highlights the challenges juvenile cougars face in establishing territories and their increasing interactions with human-populated areas.