A cougar was destroyed Sunday in Brackendale, according to Meg Toom of WildSafeBC.
It's not unusual for cougars to move through the community. “It becomes a problem when they stop and stay,” she said.
Typically, if a cougar is seen within a neighbourhood over a period of time and isn’t moving on, that is an issue as it could be because the animal found a food source, Toom added.
“We learned on-site that the cougar was very active in the area for the past few weeks, killing multiple house cats in daylight,” Sgt. Simon Gravel of the Conservation Officer Service told The Chief.
“The cougar behaviour was concerning for public safety and no other options was available at this point.”
While there were reports that the cougar was living under a home, Gravel said there was “no evidence indicating that the cougar was living under someone’s house.”
Domestic cats are prey for cougars and coyotes.
WildSafeBC recommends:
*Bring pets in at night. If they must stay outside at night, ensure they are in a kennel with a secure roof
*Do not attract or feed wildlife. Deer, raccoons, mice and rabbits are natural prey and may attract cougars
*Ensure birdseed isn't attracting wildlife
*Don't leave pet food outside as it can attract wildlife
*Ensure livestock is behind an electric fence
Toom said it is important for residents to call the Conservation Officer Service hotline early on as these reports help to direct public education by WildSafeBC. To report wildlife encounters call 1-877-952-7277.
