Large Cat sighting reported at American Camp on San Juan Island

An unidentified large cat was observed on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at approximately 2:45 p.m. along the American Camp Bluff Trail at San Juan Island National Historical Park on San Juan Island. 

The sighting is inconclusive as to the species of animal observed. The park is consulting with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

UPDATE: 

Christopher Bretherton sent in a comment: “We just saw what might be the same animal today (8/16) around 3:30pm close to the trail from the American Camp garrison to Granny’s Cove- tawny brown, long-haired, light vertical stripes, size of a very large domestic cat (but coloration and behavior didn’t seem much like a coon cat).  We flushed it out of a blackberry patch toward the woods in the direction of Eagle Cove.  Definitely not a cougar; looked to me like a bobcat.  It moved far too quickly to get a picture, unfortunately.”