Skip to main content

Cougar sighting reported in Fairfax County

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON – There have been two reports of early morning sightings of a large cat – possibly a cougar – near a Fairfax County elementary school.

The cat was described as sandy or orange in color and was about the size of a large dog, with a tail as long as its body. Animal control officers searched the area but found nothing, Fairfax County police say.

The sightings of this mysterious animal prompted officials at Riverside Elementary School to cancel outdoor recess this week, according to the school.

Friday evening and weekend activities that use the school’s fields were cancelled. And students were told not use a path behind the school, according to an email sent to parents.

School officials hope outdoor recess can resume Monday, according to the email.

The email also says three wildlife cameras were set up near the school along with an animal trap.

But so far the cameras have not captured anything suspicious. And no additional sightings have been reported, police said Friday.

Fairfax County police warn in a statement that “if you see this animal, do not approach it.”

Instead, police advise urge residents to get to a safe location and call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. An animal control officer will be dispatched.

According to the Cougar Fund, which works to protect these animals, cougars are also known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas. Established cougar populations are typically found in western states.

However mountain lions have been spotted in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia in the past, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

But Rick Busch, assistant director of the Bureau of Wildlife Resources with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, says it’s unlikely a cougar is stalking around Fairfax County and that whatever was spotted was a different type of animal.

“There’s no wild cougars in this part of the country any more,” Busch says. “There’s always the possibility that somebody had one as a pet and it just got away.”

The department offers a description of what cougars look like on its website.

Likewise, not all parents believe that the creature spotted was really a wild cat. One parent told WTOP it could also be a coyote, which are believed to be living in Fairfax County parks and have been spotted by park staff.

The Cougar Fund offers these tips to stay safe around cougars:

  • Never approach a cougar.
  • Back away slowly. Don’t turn around, run or bend over.
  • Avoid looking like prey. Make yourself appear as big as possible. Raise your arms. Open your jacket.
  • Sing or talk to distinguish yourself from prey.
  • Always fight back and do not play dead.

WTOP’s Nick Iannelli contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote