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Trap set for cougar in lower Burke Mountain in Coquitlam

One cougar reportedly sniffed a pet dog while it was with its owner
Cougar
Cougars have been spotted in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam in recent days.

B.C. Conservation Officers are monitoring cougar sightings in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam after receiving multiple reports and a complaint about an adult cougar sniffing a pet dog while it was walking with its owner.

"From our reports it seems to be one larger cougar and up above in Burke Mountain area two smaller cougars," said Sgt. Todd Hunter, who said a trap had been set in the area of David Avenue and Oxford Street.

Other sightings have been reported at the gun range along Harper Road, at the Port Coquitlam cemetery and at Mossom Creek Hatchery in Port Moody where volunteers have video and photos of paw prints of a large cougar.

Hunter said the trap will be maintained over the weekend but it's not known what would be done with the animal once it was caught.
It might have to be euthanized because it is approaching people when normally cougars shy away from people.

"If it keeps on that abnormal behavior, and goes into the trap, we are gong to have to look at how we manage that thing…it's going to be a real difficult decision," he said.

The large number of sightings in the region mirrors what's going on in other parts of B.C. and Todd speculates the cougars are following deer that are moving down the mountains in search of food that is covered in snow higher up.

Adult cougars prefer to eat deer, but will also eat raccoons or coyotes and Todd is concerned that there may be too many cougars chasing too few prey and their territories may be overlapping.

"They are going to be along trails in areas [in which] we like to recreate when the weather is generally nice."

He warns people to be careful along trails, to travel in groups and make noise and appear larger to scare away the animal. "Do not persist down the trail and do not turn and run." he said.

The BC Conservation Officers offers the following tips to keep safe.

• Install perimeter fencing around your property and ensure it's well lit in the early morning and early evening.

• Remove unnecessary vegetation to keep cougars, bears and coyotes from sleeping in it.

• Keep an air horn handy in case wildlife wanders on to your property (or bang pots and pans).

• And don't leave cats or dogs in the yard unsupervised, particularly in the early morning and evening