Cougar and Bears Live Here
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Immediately report threatening wildlife where there is a risk to public safety to the Conservation Officer 24 hour toll-free line at 1-877-952-7277.
Residents should be aware that cougar sightings are most common during the night and early morning and to take precaution with pets and small children.
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 the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
- Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don’t 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.
Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However, if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one, immediately inform the British Columbia Conservation Foundation at 1-877-952-7277.
Learn more about cougars at WildsafeBC site.
View Bears and Wildlife webpage for more info
Cougars are wide ranging animals and may show up in the Village from time to time. If they are passing through it is important that they do not find food that may encourage them to stay.
- Feed pets indoors.
- Keep your pets indoors, especially at night.
- Cougars may feed on rodents, which are attracted to bird feeders.
- If you keep chickens or small livestock, store all your feed in a secure location and ensure feeding areas are clean and free of attractants.
- Never feed deer or other possible prey species for cougars.