Conservation officers were called to investigate a cougar sighting on Qualicum Beach’s Memorial Golf Course on the weekend, but the search proved futile.
Nanaimo Conservation officer Stuart Bates was one of the officers to attend the site after people phoned the golf course, which in turn phoned the conservation officer service.
Bates said it’s not out of the realm of possibility that there was a cougar spotted at that location, but officers prefer firsthand information so they know what they are dealing with.
“We like to get the information firsthand, especially with cougars; second information is hard for us to go on.”
Bates said the apparent sightings were around the sixth and seventh holes, across from the Heritage Forest.
No tracks were found but the officers found plenty of deer, he said, which may be why a cougar was in the area. However cougar sightings do turn out to be simply dog or cat sightings as well, he said.
There have been no other sightings in that area recently, Bates said — the closest one was out by the Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery, which is a normal sighting area.
Residents around the Heritage Forest area should take precautions anyway, Bates suggested.
Keep small pets inside, keep small children close by and be aware of your surroundings.
If residents do spot a cougar they should make themselves look as big as possible and talk in loud voices, but never scream and never turn and run, he said. And if contact is made always fight back rather than play dead.
As for bear activity there hasn’t been much lately due to the cold weather, Bates said, but they are starting to come out.
Proper disposal of garbage and recycling should be practiced to reduce human-bear conflicts, like the high number seen in Qualicum Beach last year.
If anyone sees a cougar or bear, they are asked to call the 24-hour RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277.
reporter@pqbnews.com
