Two cougars walk in a yard last year near the Aspen Lakes Golf Course east of Sisters. Bend police have received two reports of a cougar in the Deschutes River canyon in the last four days.

A cougar sighting in the Deschutes River canyon upstream from Farewell Bend Park has authorities cautioning residents and users of the trails in the area to be on the alert.

Bend Police Department Community Service Officer Bob Gaede said police have received two reports of a cougar in the canyon in the last four days, the first near the River Rim subdivision and the second Saturday morning near the Central Oregon Canal. Gaede said that while the majority of reported cougar sightings are found to be domestic cats or dogs, police believe the recent sightings are believed to be legitimate.

Police, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and the Bend Park and Recreation District are working together to determine if the cat is passing through or lingering.

Signs were posted along trails in the area Saturday alerting people to use caution.

“We haven’t seen any indications of aggression toward people at this point,” Gaede said. “But obviously, it’s a wild animal, and you can’t predict what it’s going to do.”

Anyone who encounters a cougar is advised to make noise, act tall and large, and slowly back away. Bend Police ask that anyone who spots a cougar in the city call 911 to report the sighting.

— Bulletin staff report