Cougar shot and killed in Esquimalt Sunday night

A cougar spotted near Esquimalt Plaza and Bullen park in Esquimalt on Sunday night was later shot and killed by police.

VicPD were called to the 600-block of Fernhill Road around 7:30 p.m after the cougar was spotted by a mom out for a walk with her two young kids.

The caller indicated they saw the cougar tracking a couple of deer.

VicPD spoke with conservation officers who determined relocation was not an option for this animal.

“The animal was dispatched by our officers with a single shot when safe to do so in order to protect those in the surrounding area: a sad, but necessary duty,” police said in a statement.

The cougar is believed to be about a 1 1/2 to 2 years old and weighing about 100 pounds.

If you encounter a cougar:

• Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all wildlife 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 a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, and bare fists.