More cougars are roaming the region this year.
Sightings of the large wild cats have increased this year over last, according to Conservation Officers.
鈥淭his year seems to be slightly higher than others for sightings,鈥� said CO Tanner Beck. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say it鈥檚 a record year.鈥�
Wayne Andre recently spotted a large cat roaming near his home neighbouring BX Elementary school.
鈥淚t passes through my backyard and I鈥檝e seen the fresh tracks and only seen it on my game cam once at night,鈥� said Andre.
See: Cougar scares Girl Guide selling cookies in Vernon neighbourhood
Another possible cougar sighting took place on Upland Drive in Coldstream Sunday, March 17.
Spencer Lindskoog captured a photo of what is believed to be a cougar across the road in front of his house.
鈥淲ish I got a picture five seconds earlier,鈥� he posted on Facebook. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe my eyes.
While many are surprised to see these large cats roaming the neighbourhoods, it is not uncommon.
鈥淚 used to live on Scenic Drive as a kid and even 20 years ago we would have cougar sightings in that area every year,鈥� said Brittany Paulson.
Beck agrees.
鈥淚n all reality, there鈥檚 been cougars there lots,鈥� he said of not just this, but the many areas where cougars are spotted.
鈥淭his happens every single year, this time of year,鈥� said Beck.
Unfortunately, a number of unofficial reports of cougar sightings are being made via social media.
As an example, it was recently reported that a large cat was sleeping on the back deck of a BX resident. Yet, Beck said the closest report to that is that cougar tracks have been spotted on a deck.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 get the information,鈥� said Beck. 鈥淧eople are hearing things.鈥�
Those who have personally spotted a cougar are urged to report their sightings, versus second or third parties making the call.
Beck would also like to clarify the Conservation Office鈥檚 protocol on destroying cougars.
See: Cougars attack Cherryille dogs, killing one
鈥淲e don鈥檛 wait until they attack,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e base it on the behaviour of the cat. But we can鈥檛 go killing cougars just because they are here.鈥�
Behaviour that would warrant action includes any interest in people and if a cougar is spotting during the day time walking through a neighbourhood. The predatory killing of livestock and pets is also what COs look for.
Families are reminded to have cougar safety talks with their children and keep an eye on them in their yards. Kids who walk to the bus stop in semi-rural areas should do so in groups versus alone.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e always around so people should be doing (these things) all the time.鈥�
The good news is, with spring upon us, it is likely that the deer will be able to retreat to the hills for food. And the cougars will follow.
鈥淲hen their food disperses, then the cougars also disperse.鈥�
@VernonNews
jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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