Latest news with #cougar
CTV News
17 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Video shows confrontation between cougar and bear in B.C.
A wild encounter between two of B.C.'s top predators was caught on camera on Vancouver Island. An uncommon encounter between two of British Columbia's top predators has been captured by a trail camera on southern Vancouver Island. The video, shared last week by the Sooke-based Wild Wise Society, shows a large black bear seeking refuge from a cougar. The cat chases the bear off a trail and into some bushes before stopping in its tracks, seemingly satisfied with the bear's hasty exit. Experts suggest the cougar's lack of interest in pursuing the bear is a sign of a simple territorial protest. 'Predators take big risks to avoid, not only conflicts with humans, but conflicts with other species and among their own species,' Wild Wise president Mollie Cameron says. 'Most of these predators are solitary animals, besides when they're raising young or that brief period of time when they're mating.' The video was shared amid a noted uptick in cougar and bear activity in the region, including the arrival last week of a grizzly bear on nearby Texada Island, a small island in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland. Read more: Grizzly bear sighting on B.C. Gulf Island prompts warning 'Our team was speechless seeing this for the first time,' Wild Wise wrote in a social media post attached to the video of the cross-species confrontation. 'The cougar wasn't running fast; definitely not in attack mode,' the non-profit wilderness education group added. 'What we're seeing here is likely classic 'fight or flight' behaviour – both species opting for avoidance rather than confrontation. It's all about making a point and not risking unnecessary conflict.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Warning issued after hikers followed by cougar in Kananaskis Country
Alberta Parks has issued a warning in Kananaskis Country after two hikers were followed by a cougar. Alberta Parks issued the advisory last week for Gunnery Mountain and surrounding area. The advisory affects Gunnery Mountain Trail, Gunnery Creek Trail and the Highwood Compound Provincial Recreation Area, Alberta Parks said. The area is located off Highway 541, southwest of Longview, Alta. 'Although an advisory is in place for this area, cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time,' Alberta Parks said in the advisory. To avoid surprise encounters with a cougar, officials say to make plenty of noise, travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings and keep pets on a leash. Cougar sightings can be reported by calling 403-591-7755.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Park closed after hikers followed by cougar in Kananaskis Country
Alberta Parks has closed a recreation area in Kananaskis Country after two hikers were followed by a cougar. Alberta Parks issued an advisory last week, noting that the Highwood Compound Provincial Recreation Area would be closed until further notice. The closure also affects Gunnery Mountain Trail and Gunnery Creek Trail. The park is located off Highway 541, southwest of Longview, Alta. 'Although an advisory is in place for this area, cougars can be encountered anywhere in the Kananaskis Region and at any time,' Alberta Parks said in the advisory. To avoid surprise encounters with a cougar, officials say to make plenty of noise, travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings and keep pets on a leash. Cougar sightings can be reported by calling 403-591-7755.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Police issue warning after cougar spotted near Victoria school
A cougar was spotted near a school in Victoria Thursday morning, prompting a warning from police. The sighting happened a little before 8 a.m. in the 800 block of Bank Street where the Glenlyon Norfolk School is located, according to the Victoria Police Department. 'The B.C. Conservation (Officer) Service has been advised and the school has taken steps to ensure the safety of students. Please be vigilant while outdoors in this area,' a social media post from VicPD said. Anyone who sees the cougar is advised to 'move away slowly' and call 911. Safety tips on cougar encounters from the province include advice to 'pick up children immediately' because 'children frighten easily and the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack.' When faced with a cougar, one should never run away, turn one's back or make any sudden movements. 'If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively, maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons,' the guidance from the province says. 'If a cougar attacks, fight back, convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey, use anything you can as a weapon. Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes.' Cougar sightings or conflicts should be reported to the BC COS by calling 1-877-952-7277.
CBC
15-05-2025
- CBC
Cougar on the prowl in Saanich's urban Uptown area prompts police warning
Saanich police have issued a public warning after a cougar was spotted prowling around the Greater Victoria city's urban Uptown neighbourhood in several locations Wednesday night. It's the second police warning about a cougar on south Vancouver Island this week after Central Saanich police urged caution after one of the animals was spotted near Saanichton village centre on Tuesday. In a Facebook post made Thursday morning, Saanich police said officers spotted the animal at around 10 p.m. in the 3800 block of Rowland Ave., and later received reports of it walking along the Lochside Trail between Darwin Avenue and Saanich Road in Swan Lake Park. A video posted to a local Facebook page shows the animal walking near a residential complex just north of the Uptown Shopping Centre, across from the city's main fire hall. Police say the animal has been reported to the conservation officer service and the public has been asked to use caution. "If you encounter the cougar walk away slowly and call 911," the post says. According to WildSafeBC, cougars account for approximately 2,500 calls to conservation officers in B.C. every year, though many turn out to be other large cats, and attacks are "very rare." "If you encounter a cougar, keep calm and never run," the agency says.
