Cougar sightings in Sooke
There has been a report of a cougar sighting on Grant on Social Media yesterday (Facebook, Sooke Mommies, June 13, 2015). To that end, Sooke PocketNews is posting this Safety Guide to Cougars. -Britt Santowski
Safety Guide to Cougars
Printed February, 1996
British Columbians are fortunate to share their province with cougars, one of the most mysterious and elusive of all creatures. The cougar’s secretive habits and astounding predatory abilities – a cougar is capable of killing a 270 kg (600 lb) moose – have resulted in a wealth of misconceptions and irrational fears.
Actually, most British Columbians live all their lives without a glimpse of a cougar, much less a confrontation with one. Conflict between cougars and humans is extremely rare. In the past 100 years, a total of five people have been killed by cougar attacks in B.C. (in comparison, bees kill upwards of three Canadians every year). All but one of these fatal cougar attacks occurred on Vancouver Island. During the same period, there were 29 non-fatal attacks in British Columbia – 20 of which occurred on Vancouver Island. The vast majority of these attacks were on children under the age of 16.
Although a cougar attack is highly unlikely, it always pays to be prepared. Information and awareness are your best defenses.
About Cougars:
The cougar, also called mountain lion or panther, is Canada’s largest cat. Cougars have long tails which may be one-third of their total body length.
- An adult male cougar weighs between 63 and 90 kg (140-200 lbs), and a female cougar, between 40 and 50 kg (90-120 lbs). The biggest cougars are found in the interior and the Kootenays.
- The cougar’s primary prey is deer. It will also feed on wild sheep, elk, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, and occasionally livestock.
- Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night and in all seasons.
- During late spring and summer, one to two-year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory. This is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.
- Cougars have four toes with three distinct lobes present at the base of the pad. Claws are retractable, so they usually do not leave imprints.
- Generally, cougars are solitary. If tracks show two or more cougars traveling together, it probably indicates a female with kittens.
When in Cougar Country:
Cougars primarily occupy the southern third of British Columbia. Most conflict with cougars occurs in rural communities, where people live in isolated settlements. People also encounter cougars while spending leisure time in cougar country.
Cougars are predators – the top of the food chain – and their actions are often unpredictable. We have little understanding about what might trigger an attack, but following these general guidelines will reduce the risk of cougar conflict and prepare you in the unlikely event of an attack.
Children:
Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high-pitched voices, small size, and erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey.
- Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar.
- Encourage children to play outdoors in groups, and supervise children playing outdoors.
- Consider getting a dog for your children as an early-warning system. A dog can see, smell, and hear a cougar sooner then we can. Although dogs offer little value as a deterrent to cougars, they may distract a cougar from attacking a human.
- Consider erecting a fence around play areas.
- Keep a radio playing.
- Make sure children are home before dusk and stay inside until after dawn.
- If there have been cougar sightings, escort children to the bus stop in the early morning. Clear shrubs away around the bus stop, making an area with a nine-metre (30 foot) radius. Have a light installed as a general safety precaution.
Your yard and home:
- Do not attract or feed wildlife, especially deer or raccoons. These are natural prey and may attract cougars.
Pets:
- Roaming pets are easy prey.
- Bring pets in at night. If they must be left out, confine them in a kennel with a secure top.
- Do not feed pets outside. This not only attracts young cougars but also many small animals, such as mice and raccoons, that cougars prey upon.
- Place domestic livestock in an enclosed shed or barn at night.
Hiking or working in cougar country:
- Hike in groups of two or more. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar.
- Carry a sturdy walking stick to be used as a weapon if necessary.
- Keep children close-at-hand and under control.
- Watch for cougar tracks and signs. Cougars cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.
- Cougar kittens are usually well-hidden. However, if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.
[sam id=”15″ codes=”true”]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 nearest office of the Conservation Officer service.
Resources
- Safety Guide to Cougars
- Conservation Office: Reporting Human Wildlife Conflicts
- Conservation Office Service: Cougars (more information on this page)
Dial Toll Free 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) to report wildlife-human interactions where public safety is at risk.
[sam id=”1″ codes=”true”]
was she good looking???
No way lol
Welcome to Sooke, they have been here before we were.
Thanks for the info. There seems to have been a LOT of cougar sightings in the same Maple/Grant area in recent years. It can be a bit nerve wracking letting my big, old dog out… or going to get the mail. I’ve never actually seen one yet though… yet. :/
Hey I’ve hunted all my life and never seen one. Except for the glimpse of one dart across the road in front of us by the museums years ago. Wife saw it only reason if it was for her I wouldn’t had a clue what just crossed out the corner of my eye. I’ve had one stalking me couple years ago out hunting had no idea until I meet up with a couple people saw it head for me but had know idea I was there. Same with wolves very rare to see but had two cross at harbour view back in Oct Nov. At 1230am on the way home. Alot around us just need to pay attention when walking and always look back often
Attractants
Cougars are wide ranging animals and may show up in urban settings from time to time. If they are passing through it is important they do not find prey items that may encourage them to stay.
• Feed pets indoors, or if fed outdoors, bring in any uneaten food as the smell of pet food may attract cougars in addition to the pets (potential prey) themselves.
• Keep your pets indoors, especially at night. Cats and small dogs that are left to free-range can become easy prey targets.
• Bird feeders can attract cougars. If the ground below the feeder is not kept clear, seeds can accumulate, attracting rodents and, in turn, attracting cougars that feed on the rodents and other animals such as deer that are brought in by the bird feed.
• If you keep chickens or small livestock use a properly installed and maintained electric fence. Store all your feed in a secure location and ensure feeding areas are clean and free of attractants (again, the feed attracts rodents and the rodents, in turn, can attract other predators and cougars).
• Never feed deer or other possible prey species for cougars. While deer may be pleasant to watch, they can attract large predators into residential neighbourhoods. As well, urban deer present their own set of problems to you and your neighbours.
Sure wish my neighbours wouldn’t feed the deer apple slices. I don’t think they realize that they are attracting the predators who follow the deer. And I’m on Grant ! (By Maple ) 🙁
Holly, there’s a new bylaw just passed in Sooke. It is against the law to feed wild animas in Sooke. No one should be feeding deer. That’s why you have cougars!!!! Call the municipal office !
Attractants
Cougars are wide ranging animals and may show up in urban settings from time to time. If they are passing through it is important they do not find prey items that may encourage them to stay.
• Feed pets indoors, or if fed outdoors, bring in any uneaten food as the smell of pet food may attract cougars in addition to the pets (potential prey) themselves.
• Keep your pets indoors, especially at night. Cats and small dogs that are left to free-range can become easy prey targets.
• Bird feeders can attract cougars. If the ground below the feeder is not kept clear, seeds can accumulate, attracting rodents and, in turn, attracting cougars that feed on the rodents and other animals such as deer that are brought in by the bird feed.
• If you keep chickens or small livestock use a properly installed and maintained electric fence. Store all your feed in a secure location and ensure feeding areas are clean and free of attractants (again, the feed attracts rodents and the rodents, in turn, can attract other predators and cougars).
• Never feed deer or other possible prey species for cougars. While deer may be pleasant to watch, they can attract large predators into residential neighbourhoods. As well, urban deer present their own set of problems to you and your neighbours.
please please don’t feed the deer. You may think you are doing something cute and sweet but by attracting the deer to hang around so you can look at them is also attracting the predators…. cougars !
Deer are their prey and they follow their paths. To attract deer is to attract cougars. Think again “dear” neighbours….