Last Wednesday evening, an Eden Prairie resident sent a message to the Police Department on Facebook messenger indicating someone she knows saw a cougar near the west side of Staring Lake. This individual did not call to make a report or speak with an officer.

The Eden Prairie Police Department is aware of two large cat sightings reported in Bloomington this week; however, there have been no other possible sightings in Eden Prairie.

Since 2010, the Department has received an average of one call each year regarding possible cougar/mountain lion sightings in Eden Prairie. In most cases, responding officers have found evidence to indicate the presence of another animal that was likely mistaken for a cougar/mountain lion.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides information on Cougars in Minnesota, including what to do if you encounter one and how to report a possible sighting, at dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/cougar.