Residents of South Eugene are on alert after a cougar was spotted climbing trees and roaming yards.

Neighbors in the Hendricks Park, Moon Mountain, Coryell Ridge and Black Oak Basin areas have spotted the big cat in various locations over the past few days, some even capturing it on camera.

“We are fortunate to have these beautiful creatures living in our natural environment, and we should respect them and their habitat,” said a post from Eugene Parks and Open Space published Wednesday.

After day and night photographs of the cougar were taken Tuesday evening, neighbors reported to the city on Wednesday that the cougar had been spotted in the neighborhood for several days.

Suki Mackie, a local resident, captured video of the cougar climbing a tree on her property and splashing in a water trough she set up outside for animals to make them less likely to enter the neighborhood.

“It was a total surprise,” Mackie said. “I see about 20 to 30 videos of deer, turkeys, squirrels and raccoons in a 24-hour period. I was expecting to see a turkey.”

Mackie said she and her neighbors have spotted the cougar in yards and under patios. Some neighbors even claim the cougar has kept them awake all night by howling near their homes.

“It’s not happening in our neighborhood. It’s happening in our neighborhood and so we’re a little stressed about it,” Mackie said. “We have a lot of young children and we’re a small community. We have driveways, no streets, so there’s no through traffic. Kids are allowed to run around and they’re young kids. So parents keep a close eye on their kids.”

Given the presence of the cougar, park officials recommend that visitors make noise while hiking in the area, keep children close, and keep pets on a leash.

“We’re very aware of the wildlife and it’s a beautiful animal,” Mackie said. “We really hope it moves on and doesn’t get used to people.”

According to Eugene Parks and Open Space, if you encounter a cougar:

• Do not run, do not scream and do not turn around

• Make yourself as big as possible

• Place children between adults

• Speak firmly and walk back slowly

• If you are attacked, defend yourself

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared in the Register-Guard: Puma sightings in South Eugene caught on video