COUGARS AND YOU: A SAFETY GUIDE

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 (600lb) 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 defences.

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 Ibs.), and a female cougar, between 40 and 50 kg (90- l2Olbs). 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 occasion ally 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.

TRACKS:

• 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 travelling 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 lei sure 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 duff cult 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 than 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 aside until after dawn.

• if there have 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 rats, coons, 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 or 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 pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.

IF YOU MEET A COUGAR:

• ‘Never ‘approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on kill may be dangerous.

• Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.

• Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a conf dent 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 fight may trigger an instinctive attack

• Do not turn your back on the nougat 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