UPDATE: Police Say No Additional Cougar Sightings Friday

UPDATE, Friday:

Animal Control Officers and personnel from the Animal Services Division have been in the Mount Vernon Road area throughout the day Friday, according to a news release.

They have neither received any additional reports nor observed any additional signs of large cat activity. They have reviewed footage from surveillance cameras that were placed in the area overnight and there was nothing suspicious present. Additionally, the agency has been in contact with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and made them aware of the possible sightings.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation. Animal Services staff reminds residents: If you see this animal, do not approach it. Get to a safe location and call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. An animal control officer will be dispatched.

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It’s not something you hear every day: A cougar sighting. But that’s what Fairfax Animal Control is hearing.

Over the past 48 hours, Fairfax County Animal Control has received two reports of early-morning sightings of a large cat, possibly a cougar, near Riverside Elementary School on Old Mount Vernon Road in Alexandria. Animal Control Officers searched the area of the reported sightings but found no evidence confirming the presence of the animal.

The cat was described as being a sand or orange color and was estimated to be the size of a large dog with a tail equal to the length of its body.

The Police Department’s Wildlife Management Specialist is working with Animal Control to set up wildlife cameras around the area and animal control officers was patrolling the area Thursday night and early tomorrow morning, in case the animal is still in the area. Teachers and parents at this school have been made aware and are taking precautions to ensure that children are kept safe.

If you see this animal, do not approach it. Get to a safe location and call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. An animal control officer will be dispatched.

Read more about cougars in our region: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/?s=050112

PHOTO of cougar courtesy of Fairfax County; this is NOT the cougar in question.