After a string of recent cougar sightings in 麻豆精选, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is reminding Central Okanagan residents that their backyard might also be where wildlife calls home.
Conservation officer Ken Owens said that in the past two weeks, they have received multiple reports of cougar sightings along the lakefront of 麻豆精选鈥檚 Lower Mission and in the Bellevue Creek/Mill Creek areas.
He explained that the sightings appeared to be of a young, sub-adult cougar who had recently ventured out on its own. When cougars first disperse from their mothers, the cats have to figure out what their home range is going to be, said Owens.
Occasionally, during this time of exploration, young cougars find themselves in 鈥渋nappropriate areas,鈥� like urbanized neighbourhoods. Typically, the youngsters move on quickly without issue.
Owens said conservation is monitoring the young cougar that has been spotted around 麻豆精选 and has determined that it is a 鈥渓ow public safety risk,鈥� 鈥� as the cougar appears to be healthy and hunting normally.
On Jan. 17, the young cougar was spotted on the greenbelt near Okanagan Mission Secondary School by a student. Owens said that the cougar did not display aggressive behaviour and left the area as soon as it saw humans, which is a positive sign. Conservation has been in contact with the school and there is no concern for public safety.
Owens believes 麻豆精选 residents are blessed to live in a city that is surrounded by and interspersed with nature, but need to be aware that this means that they need to coexist with wildlife.
Deer, bears, cougars, coyotes and raccoons are some of the critters that call the Okanagan home and residents have the responsibility to ensure that they are not teaching the wildlife bad behaviours.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e always potentially here,鈥� said Owens.
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Cougars are often found anywhere that deer live and are rarely seen or cause conflict.
Simple acts like leaving garbage out or letting pets roam off leash or be unattended in backyards during the night enable wildlife to form bad habits that can have fatal consequences for both pets and wild animals. Owens explained that if your pets typically sleep in the backyard, it is important to create a covered and secure enclosure for them as cats and dogs are easy prey for predators like cougars.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to teach the cat bad behaviours,鈥� said Owens.
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He added that dogs may provoke cougars to attack and canines should be kept on-leash at all times when in forested spaces. It is also important to always make noise, travel in groups and carry bear spray when in spaces that wildlife calls home.
If you do see a cougar, it does not mean that you are in danger. Instead, Owens said, that you should immediately stop, stay calm and find another route away from the animal. While backing away you should maintain eye contact, appear large, never turn your back and speak in a confident voice. Also, remember that sudden movements may provoke an attack.
For more information on how to stay safe around wildlife, like cougars, visit wildsafebc.com or gov.bc.ca.
Owens said that while it is important to be aware and take steps to mitigate conflict, cougars typically pose very little threat to people. There are very few reported cases of big cat attacks in B.C., despite the fact that humans and cougars inhabit many of the same areas. He added that a fatality has not been reported in decades.
If you do see a cougar call the B.C. Conservation Officer Service immediately at 1-877-952-7277. Reports help the officers to track and monitor the behaviour of wildlife and Owens said that all cougar sightings should be reported. You can also call B.C. Conservation if an animal appears to be exhibiting unusual behaviour.
READ MORE: B.C.鈥檚 鈥榤ost comprehensive cougar study to date鈥� coming to Okanagan
A visitor to a local high school today. All students were safe and this guy left on his own. The student that managed to capture this picture during his photography class probably will get an A. @cityofkelowna @麻豆精选RCMP pic.twitter.com/eEbKqmh99k
鈥� 1 Tall Cop (Constable Mike) (@610Mike) January 17, 2024
