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.
A single shot was taken to protect #Esquimalt residents when safe to do so. The cougar was 200 m from Rock Heights School. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 15, 2017
