This summer the run-ins between cougars and humans has been on par with previous years, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) reported in a recent statement.
Between April 1 and Sept. 7 - the busiest time of year for cougar sightings - the ministry received 1,362 complaints about the big cats. By comparison, last year the ministry received 1,854 complaints while 2009-'10 brought in 2,422 calls.
As of Sept. 17, 43 cougars had been killed throughout the province in 2011 - 27 by conversation officers and 16 by people such as the RCMP. During a similar period in 2010, 49 cats were killed, while in 2009, 68 were shot.
In both previous years, conservation officers destroyed more cougars - 34 in 2010 and 40 in 2009. This summer, conservation officers had to kill three cougars in Squamish that were deemed dangerous to the public, said Insp. Chris Doyle, conservation officer for the Sea to Sky Corridor.
Staff at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations estimate there are between 5,150 to 7,000 cougars in the province. The cats stay active all year long, Doyle said. In the winter the cats usually follow the deer to concentrated areas of good winter range, he said.
Although a cougar attacks on humans are rare, it always pays to be prepared, MOE statement said. Avoid attracting prey, such as small mammals, raccoons and deer to your property and carry bear spray when hiking, officials advised.
If you do encounter a cougar, stay calm and pick up small children and household pets. Never run from a cougar or turn your back on the cat. Make yourself look bigger and give the cougar space to escape. If it attacks, fight back, officials advise.
