Saanich Police are advising residents to be aware of a cougar that was spotted in Gordon Head on Thursday afternoon.
According to Sgt. Julie Fast, the wild cat was sighted on San Lorenzo Ave at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28th.
See also:
- There have been three cougar sightings in Saanich over the past three days
-
Saanich homeowner scares off cougar from their backyard in Cadboro Bay
-
Massive snake spotted several times near Mayfair Shopping Centre
As of the time of publication, police and conservation officers are attempting to locate the cougar with the help of a tracking dog. Their current location is unknown.
Police are advising residents in the area to bring children and pets indoors for the duration of the search.
A cougar has been spotted in Gordon Head this afternoon. Conservation & police are in the area attempting to track it. Consider bringing kids & small pets inside. Call police if you see it. #cougarsighting
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) March 28, 2019
Last week, a cougar was spotted about a block away from San Lorenzo Ave, in the area of Hillcrest Avenue and King Alfred Court.
If you see a cougar in your area, contact your local police detachment.
What to do if you encounter 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 cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.
