Cougar season is here and Saanich police want to remind residents that we’ve successfully co-existed with the predatory animals with few incidents for years.
A sighting late Saturday night prompted a Cordova Bay woman to report the animal’s whereabouts, around Wesley Road and Alvarado Court at 11:30 p.m.
“With large tracts of space and greenbelts just beyond Cordova Bay, it’s not unexpected to see them there,” said Sgt. Steve Eassie. “Nearby is a large number of natural food sources, including deer, for example.
“The concern for people is when the animal begins acting like a predator or is targeting animals or people. In this case it was just traveling through the area.”
Earlier this month, on June 7, there were two sightings reported from residents living near the Cedar Hill Golf Course.
“At 7 a.m. there was a reported cougar on the golf course, then in a backyard at 9 a.m. A place like Cedar Hill is surrounded entirely by residences. Cougars aren’t expected to be there so that’s where there can be some concern. But there are deer there so, again, cougars have reason to be there.”
Eassie cautions visitors to the trails and remote areas of Saanich to use common sense when travelling in those areas, make noise and keep small animals and children nearby.
reporter@saanichnews.com