Cougar Relocated

Sun., Jan. 23, 2000

Wildlife management

A cougar captured in Kent, Wash., after being suspected of killing suburban pets has been released in a forested area of eastern King County north of Interstate 90.

The 125-pound male cat, believed to be about 1-1/2 years old, was released Wednesday isn’t expected to live long.

“Cougars are territorial,” said W.G. “Bill” Hebner of the state Fish and Wildlife Department. The one caught in east Kent may have been living in a local greenbelt.

Its chance of surviving is slim because the release site probably is within the territory of an adult cougar, Hebner said.

Fully grown male cougars can weigh 200 pounds and are known to kill younger and weaker cats that infringe on their hunting area, which can extend over 100 square miles.

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