A cougar attacked a toddler yesterday evening at Fisherman's Park near the bank of the Squamish River in Brackendale.
It's the first time a cougar has attacked a person in the Sea to Sky, according to Conservation Officer Service (COS) representative Chris Doyle.
A woman and her daughter, three-year-old Maya Espinoza, were out with their dog, picking berries at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (June 16) when the mother turned around and saw an approximately 80-lbs cougar on top of her daughter, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dave Ritchie during a press conference at Squamish's RCMP detachment this morning.
The girl thought the cougar was playing with her when it swiped her from behind, her father, Pablo Espinoza, told the CBC after the incident.
The mother fought off the cat, described as young, male and in good condition by Doyle. She received minor injuries in the process.
Initial reports stated an air evacuation was being planned for Maya, but her injuries were not severe enough to warrant the emergency treatment. She received puncture wounds and lacerations to her arm, neck and head, according to RCMP, and was rushed to Squamish General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Brackendale residents were asked to retrieve their pets if outside, and remain indoors until further notice. Doyle said residents helped by immediately reporting sightings as the cat prowled the area's backyards and green spaces.
Five conservation officers aided by two dogs and their handlers tracked the animal until it was spotted and shot near Depot and Government Rd. at approximately 10:15 p.m.
"The cougar will be subject of an autopsy to determine if it was the one involved in the attack and determine its health status," states an RCMP report.
Maya was alert the following morning, according to reports. "She was very lucky," said Doyle. "It could've been a lot worse."
The family spent a sleepless night, but was in good spirits considering the traumatic incident, said Ritchie.
The incident follows on the heels of at least 30 cougar sightings in less than two weeks, many of which involved apparent stalking of people, and two of which involved a cougar taking dogs off their owners' leashes.
The COS now has heightened presence, now deemed the highest cougar encounter area in the province, according to Doyle. Eight conservation officers and two dog teams are tracking the area.
"We'll stay as long as we feel we need to be here," he said.
He said the COS will not take drastic measures to cull the cougar population, but rather deal with the cats on a case-by-case basis.
"We'll take every situation and analyze the situation and the health of the animal and obviously any cougar predacious on humans will likely get destroyed," said Doyle.
"It's more a matter of dealing with conflict animals when we get the reports and making sure the public is aware of areas where they may encounter cougars and their appropriate response when they encounter a cougar."
Anyone spotting a cougar is asked to immediately call the COS Report a Polluter or Poacher (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
At 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, the Ministry of Environment Conservation Officer Service will hold a town hall meeting on the cougar activity in Squamish at municipal hall. Those who can't make the meeting, watch it live on www.squamish.ca under "watch council meetings live."
