Saanich Police have issued an alert after a cougar was spotted in the municipality early Sunday morning.
The sighting was reported at about 5:45 a.m. by a motorist. The driver told police she observed a cougar in the 1000-block of Mckenzie Avenue.
Police said they patrolled the area for the feline but could not locate the animal. No other sightings have been reported.
BC Conservation Service has been advised.
Residents of the area are advised to be mindful of their surroundings, families and pets.
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.
