A hiker had a close encounter with a cougar on the morning of June 26, one of several sightings of mountain lions in the area.
Conservation Officer Mark Walkosky says the solo hiker was hiking along the Sleepy Hollow Trail near the Westridge Subdivision, southwest of Williams Lake, when the hiker spotted the cougar.
The cougar followed the hiker for 20 minutes, with no incidents, and the hiker was able to keep their distance from the animal using a large stick, before the cougar eventually ran away.
“We’ve done patrols in the area and were unable to locate a cougar at this point in time,” says Walkosky. “We’ll [Conservation] be posting signs up, keeping people aware of cougar activity.”
Walkosky says the cougar was reported to not be aggressive and was not stalking the hiker, and is believed to be a young cougar with this described behaviours.
Conservation Officers recommends people stay away from the hiking trails, and if they must go into the trails, go in with another person.
The hiking incident is one of several BC Conservation Officers in Williams Lake have recieved over the last few days, Walkosky says.
Cougars have been seen near the Westridge Subdivision on security cameras during the dawn and dusk hours over the last couple of days.
“This is normal behaviour for cougars. Dawn and dusk are the typical time most cougars are active,” Walkosky says. “ So be diligent with your pets. Don’t leave them out for extended periods of time. If you’re out and about, try to stay in groups, make noise, and don’t be out by yourself at dawn and dust periods or through the night.”
BC Conservation advises anyone hiking in nature when cougars or bears have been sighted to:
- Do not travel alone,
- Keep distance, and have something between you and the animal,
- Make lots of noise,
- Make yourself look big if an animal is spotted,
- And hike during daylight, and not during dawn or dusk.
BC Conservation says if anyone sees cougars, or other wildlife in the area, call the BC Conservation Office’s R.A.P.P phone line 877-952-7277 as soon as possible.
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