Cougar captured near Idaho grocery store

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A long tail sticking out of the shrubbery

was the first clue that a cougar had taken up residence near a

grocery store in Lewiston.

The cat was captured Wednesday afternoon after a wildlife biologist

shot the 80- to 100-pound male with a tranquilizer dart.

Idaho Fish and Game officials are seeking a zoo or research

facility that is willing to take the animal, or it will have to be

euthanized because it has had contact with people.

Safeway employee Fred Coates says someone working on a landscaping

crew asked him if there were any animals living in the bushes

because there was a long tail sticking out of one. Coates went to

investigate, spotted the cougar and called authorities.