That a trio of cougars were filmed in a Coquitlam backyard over the weekend isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).
The animals were displaying typical behaviour, are sticking to their natural food sources and, although they were unusually close to a home where residents were making a significant amount of noise to deter the cats, they were travelling along the Noons Creek greenbelt that snakes down the mountain.
“We’re tracking their behaviour and their moves but there is nothing that has alarmed us enough for us to take some action and intervene,” said Sgt. Todd Hunter of BCCOS.
No action will be taken unless there is “significant property loss,” which would be cougars preying on domestic animals or other signs they were habituated to unnatural food.
Conservation officers have been tracking cougar sightings in the Tri-Cities since around Christmas, when they suspected the unusual amount of snow was driving deer down the mountain in search of food, with the cougars following their trail.
Because those sightings have been of a pair of cougars and a single one travelling separately, Hunter said it’s possible the trio spotted on the weekend is a reunited family group.
Officers have limited options to deal with the cougars, Hunter said, and are being careful not to make a “rash decision,” opting instead to wait, watching closely for any change in their behaviour.
But he cautions that just the presence of a cougar, or even one that appears to be staring someone down, isn’t necessarily cause for action.
“Cougars have a very keen sense of eyesight,” Hunter said. “When they do see things like glare [from a window], they’ll come check it out. They act similarly to a domestic cat — they’re very curious, they’ll check things out, especially when they’re moving.”
As an apex predator, cougars travel paths of least resistance and tend to lie in wait for things like deer and, occasionally, coyotes or raccoons. That’s why Hunter emphasizes the need for Tri-City residents, particularly those living near green belts, to properly store their food waste so as not to attract such vermin — and their predators.
Those with pets are also warned not to let them roam around outdoors on their own.
• Anyone who spots a cougar exhibiting unnatural behaviour, such as acting in a threatening or aggressive manner toward humans or killing a domesticated animal, should immediately contact the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
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