Sedated Cougar Found Dead Near Point Of Its Release

A cougar that was tranquilized after it wandered into a Spokane neighborhood has been found dead near the site where it was released in the wilderness, state Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said Monday.

Wildlife agents who went to check on the 100-pound male cougar after its release Friday found the body near Hunters Pass outside Springdale, about 40 miles northwest of Spokane.

The cougar apparently died from a reaction to the tranquilizer, officials said.

Veterinarian Luther McConnell, who assisted wildlife agents Friday after the cougar was spotted near Manito Park on Spokane’s South Hill, said Monday he had to guess the animal’s weight to determine how much tranquilizer to use.

The tranquilizer was an anesthetic commonly used on domestic cats, he said.

The animal was shot with the tranquilizer dart as it sat on a tree limb about 45 feet above the ground. Its fall was broken by a clump of branches, and officials said the cougar did not appear to be injured.

Wildlife officials said the animal likely wandered into town searching for a territory to claim.

, DataTimes