3 cougars shot in Princeton in recent weeks
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | 2:23 PM PT
CBC News
This cougar was shot dead after hanging around a softball tournament in Princeton, B.C. (Mike Savage/RCMP)Three cougars that appeared to be stalking people were shot in Princeton, B.C., during the last two weeks, and a veteran conservation officer says he's never seen anything like it.
The first cougar was spotted lurking near a campground in the southern Interior town on July 3, CBC News has learned.
B.C. conservation officer Al Lay shot the big cat out of concern it may have been stalking people.
"It was close to residences and campsites on the other side, and it was just one of those situations where it is better safe than sorry…. We just can't take the chance of someone being hurt. Sometimes it's not pleasant but it's something we have to do," said Lay.
On July 10 another cougar was spotted in Princeton following two girls tubing down a river. A local resident was so worried he got his gun, according Princeton Mayor Randy McLean.
'It's not normal, that's for sure. This is very, very uncommon.' —Al Lay, veteran B.C. conservation officer
"The fellow noticed the cougar was crouched, observing the two girls as if he could pounce at any moment, and he shot the cougar," said McLean.
A day later, a third cougar was spotted hanging around a softball tournament right across from the RCMP station.
"RCMP members went across the road and unfortunately dispatched the animal to prevent anything tragic from happening," Cpl. Dan Moskaluk told CBC News.
Conservation officers said all three cougars were fairly young and healthy, and may even have been siblings, but none of the officers could recall a similar rash of incidents.
"It's not normal that's for sure. This is very, very uncommon," said Lay, who has been a conservation officer for 29 years.
There has been a cluster of reported cougar attacks this summer in B.C., but it is not clear if the number is significantly higher than in other years. Last month, in separate incidents, two B.C. women fought off cougars that attacked their children.
Then on Monday, conservation officers in the southern Interior town of Vernon said a 22-year-old man was pushed to the ground while walking along a bridge early Sunday morning.
The Mounties said they're still not sure if it was a cougar, a bear or a coyote, but whatever it was appeared to be frightened away by a vehicle that came by. The man was treated in hospital for cuts to his arms and chest.
