Cougars have been spotted again in Osoyoos and one was shot near Cottonwood Drive last week. This photo was taken of one at a zoo. (Greg Hume photo)
Osoyoos and area residents are being urged to be aware and use extreme caution when walking their dogs after an adult female cougar was shot near Braeburn Place, in the northwest of Osoyoos last week, and a second cougar attacked a dog on Anarchist Mountain on Saturday evening.
“We just want to warn the public that there are a lot of bears and cougars and other wildlife out in the wild this time of year,” said Barbara Leslie, inspector of operations for the Okanagan Region for the provincial Conservation Officer service. “We want people to be aware and use caution if they see a bear or cougar and slowly walk away from the area if they do.”
Local RCMP officers shot and killed an adult female cougar near Cottonwood Drive early last week, Leslie confirmed.
This past Saturday evening, a man was out walking his dog on Bullmoose Road on Anarchist Mountain when a young cougar jumped out of the bush and started chasing the dog, said Leslie.
The dog’s owner jumped in his truck and scared the cougar away, but his dog got brave and chased the cougar into the bush, she said.
The dog emerged from the bush a couple of minute later with several cuts and scratches near his buttocks, she said.
Because it gets dark so early and there are so many people who like to walk their dogs, Leslie said it’s very important for people to be aware there are more wild animals out and about this time of year.
“There are bears, coyotes and cougars in the Osoyoos area and we ask that you keep your pets inside as a precaution,” she said. “Especially in the rural areas, it’s not unusual to get close to a bear or cougar. We just want people to be aware and to be cautious.”
Black bears are looking to eat as much as possible this time of year with winter hibernation season not far away and rural homeowners are urged to not take their garbage out until the day of pickup and to keep dog and cat food inside as a precaution, said Leslie.
With Halloween just over one week away, it’s also a good idea that all children who go trick or treating wear bright clothing, be accompanied by their parents or adult supervisors and visit only well-lit areas, she said.
The Town of Osoyoos is surrounded by mountains and rural areas where wild animals live and there will be occasion contact with wild animals, she said.
“It’s when these animals lose their fear of people or when they get cornered that it becomes a problem,” she said.
Anyone who wants to report problem wildlife on or near their property should contact the regional office at 1-877-953-7277.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
This story has been corrected to say the cougar last week was shot near Braeburn Place and not near Cottonwood Drive as indicated previously.
