Saanich Police are warning the public of a cougar sighting Monday evening at Elk Lake.
Police said they responded to the west side of Elk Lake Park after receiving a report of a cougar sighting near the main walking trail around 8 PM.
“This area of the park is across from the Pat Bay Highway; closest to Oldfield Rd and West Saanich Rd,” the police statement read.
Patrol officers canvassed the area, informing park users of the sighting, and then notified the BC Conservation Officer Service.
The animal was not seen again after the first witness sighting.
CRD and Saanich Park users should be aware that cougars may be present in parks. To ensure your own safety, read through the guidelines below.
If you meet a cougar:
- Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
- Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
- Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident 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 flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
- Do not turn your back on the cougar. 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.
