What to Do If You See a Cougar. Some Photos and Facts on Cougars

Possible Cougar Sighting - 1400 block of Nev Pl

The Saanich Police are advising residents to be mindful of the two most recent cougar sightings and to take the time to read the full media release. Contained in the media release are a number of safety precautions for people of all ages.

Please take the time to read and to sit down with the young people in your home. Go through it and talk about it over dinner. It is important. The information is there to take away the fear and to empower people of all ages.

On Tuesday, June 16, at 10.03 pm, a Saanich resident contacted the Saanich Police communications centre to report a cougar sighting. The complainant advised the police call taker that he witnessed a cougar chasing a deer. The Com did not get a good look at the cougar, however his description of the animal was that it was bigger than a dog and had a long brown tail.

The Wildlife Conservation office was notified of the sighting.

Attending police officers made attempts to locate the cougar but were unsuccessful.

Cougars often reside in areas throughout the municipality but sightings are rare and often unsubstantiated.

The Saanich Police would like residents of Saanich to exercise caution when crossing paths with a cougar or any large predatory wildlife. Residents of Saanich are encouraged to contact us at 475-4321 or 911 and they can also contact 1-800-663-9453 (WILD) to report incidents of human/wildlife conflict or to report a violation of provincial regulations or legislation.

Description of Cougar:

The cougar, also called mountain lion or panther, is Canada’s largest cat. Cougars have long tails which may be one third of their total body length. An adult male cougar weighs between 63 and 90 kg (140-220 lbs) and a female adult cougar weighs between 40 and 50 kg ( 90-120 lbs).

What Cougars Eat:

The cougar’s primary prey is deer. It will also feed on wild sheep, elk, moose, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, and livestock.

When Are You Most Likely To See A Cougar:

Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night and in all seasons. During late spring and early summer, one to two year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory. This is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.

Cougars and Children:

Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high-pitched voices, small size, erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey.

- Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar.

- Encourage children to play outdoors in groups, and supervise your children while they are playing outdoors.

- Consider getting a dog for your children as an early warning system. A dog can see, smell, and hear a cougar sooner than we can. Dogs offer little value as a deterrent to cougars however they may distract a cougar from attacking a child.

- Keep a radio playing.

- Make sure children are home before dusk and stay inside until after dawn.

- If there has been a cougar sighting, escort children to the bus stop in the early morning. Clear shrubs away from around the bus stop, making an area with a nine metre radius. Have a light installed as a general safety precaution.

If You Meet A Cougar:

- Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.

- Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.

- Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.

- Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.

- Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.

- Do not turn your back on a cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.

- Do all you can to enlarge your image. Do not crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If A Cougar Behaves Aggressively:

- Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.- If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Remember:

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with you and the cougar coming away unharmed. Most British Columbians will live all their lives without ever seeing a glimpse of a cougar. Conflict between cougars and humans is extremely rare.

(09-14455)