(File photo/Lucie Sa Vi)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

be aware

Reported cougar sightings in east Red Deer prompt safety warnings

Jul 6, 2020 | 3:52 PM

RCMP say two reports of cougar sightings in Red Deer are unfounded.

The reports came in late last week from residents in Deer Park and Vanier, but police say they could not be substantiated. Alberta Fish & Wildlife officials confirm they did not receive any reports.

However, the talk of big cats on the east side, or anywhere within the city for that matter, is good reason to refresh the basics of being safe when it comes to wildlife.

“Cougar encounters are rare as most cougars are normally shy of humans and will typically leave the area if they know humans are nearby,” says Ina Lucila, communications advisor for the province’s Justice and Solicitor General office.

“If you see a cougar in the distance, do not run or turn your back. If the cougar appears to be unaware of your presence, gather children and pets in close, slowly and cautiously back away and leave the area. If a cougar is hissing and snarling or staring intently and tracking your movements, do not run, and do not play dead.”

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Lucila adds that you should look big and speak loudly, and if the cougar makes contact, fight back using all means at your disposal.

Todd Nivens, executive director at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, recalls a couple sightings in 2019, one south of Kin Canyon and another near Garden Heights. Those sightings also went unconfirmed.

“We went to take a look around Garden Heights; didn’t see any signs (no tracks near laydowns, no covered kills etc.). There were also no reports of stalking or missing pets. Don’t make your property appealing to cougars. Keep bird feeders tidy, don’t feed your dogs and cats outside, keep lids on your garbage cans, and keep your pets indoors when not attended,” Nivens shares.

“Cougars are extremely rare in urban environments. They don’t like noise and confusion. That said, Red Deer has a very healthy deer population, there are elk east of town, and the river valley acts like a highway for wildlife. It is entirely possible that there could be large predators within the city limits. But, and this is critical, people are not usually viewed as prey.”

Nivens notes that in the past 100 years, there have been less than 30 fatal cougar attacks in North America, while roughly 67 Canadians die from fatal bee/wasp stings annually.

“Is there a cougar in Red Deer? We don’t know. Should people be aware and prepared? For sure,” he says. “Should this keep us out of our park spaces? No.”

If you encounter a cougar or other wildlife that may be a public safety concern, report it to the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.