Cougar spotted by school district employee in Woodburn

Woodburn Police Department tried to locate a reported cougar near Meridian and Tukwila drives in Woodburn around 5 a.m. Thursday, but were unsuccessful.

A Woodburn School District employee reported the sighting on Meridian Drive, which runs adjacent to school district buildings and Woodburn High School. The employee said the cougar was on the sidewalk and headed north toward a residential area on Tukwila Drive, but by the time officers could respond, it was not in the area.

The dispatch center used their mass communications system to tell people who live in the area about the cougar, and to use caution during morning hours when outdoors.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with Woodburn School District officials, were advised of the sighting, WPD said.

Anyone who thinks they have seen this or other cougar sightings are asked to please contact WPD at 503-982-2345.