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BOUNTIFUL — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is still asking residents to keep children and pets indoors after two cougars were seen in the area Saturday.
"The cougars have been spotted along 3000 South, between 650 East and 950 East," according to a DWR Facebook post.
A cougar was spotted again near 4070 Brindlewood Drive in Bountiful on Saturday evening, DWR Outreach Manager Mark Hadley said Sunday morning. He could not confirm if it was a third cougar or one of the original cougars seen.
The identified cougars are likely responsible for a dead deer found in a Bountiful backyard at 3 a.m. Saturday. There was another deer found Saturday evening that was likely hit and injured by a car, then killed by one of the cougars and buried in the snow. However, Hadley does not believe there is an immediate danger to the public.
"These cougars are reacting the way a cougar would normally react," said Hadley. He added that the animals are not giving any indication that they've lost their fear for people, as they've run away at every sign of human interaction.
Hadley said these sightings are not unusual for this time of year. As the mountains accumulate more snow the deer move down to lower areas, the cougars follow their main food source and typically hunt at night.
"If you live in the area, please keep children and small pets indoors between dusk and daylight," read the post.
If you encounter a cougar, wildawareutah.org says to stop and maintain eye contact — never run from or approach the animal. It is best to stand tall and avoid crouching or squatting. Talk firmly in a loud voice and try to make yourself seem as large as possible.
