Do cougars swim ?

[Cap.Silver]

Heard some stories about cougar swimming across the river ....that some people saw . Is it possible that cougar would swim across river in December ? The river is say 50' wide ,between 2-8' deep - like Snoqualmie ....sort of .
I give myself about 2 minutes before my muscles would just go into spasm in this cold water ..... any of you witnessed anything ? Just curious since it is known that cats don't like water much .....

[Coastal_native]

Without a doubt. 

[wadu1]

I saw one swimming from one small island to another in Desolation Sound about ten years ago. So dumbfounded never got the camera out 

[villageidiot]

I saw a deer a cougar killed several years ago and swam across the 100 foot wide half frozen Methow in January river to sleep during the day.  Every night he would swim back across the river and eat some more  then swim back to sleep on the other side.  He did this for several days till the deer was eaten up.  Never saw the cat just his tracks morning and evening.  So, do they swim?

[dreamunelk]

Depends on the cat.  If they really want to get to the other side they will.

[Okanagan]

Friend of mine on Vancouver Island has pics of a cougar swimming between islands in salt water.  the went right up to it in their boat and took the photos


 

[KFhunter]

Friend of mine on Vancouver Island has pics of a cougar swimming between islands in salt water.  the went right up to it in their boat and took the photos

was that the video where someone in the background is yelling "not smart guys,  not smart!!  NOT SMART!!"

I got a good chuckle, that cat was |-this-| close to getting in that boat