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March 28, 2013 - 2:44 PM
Two cougars were shot yesterday in Lake Country - one outside the daycare at Winfield Boys and Girls Club on Berry Road - the other in Oyama.
The animal discovered outside the daycare was reported to be watching the children from the branches of a pine tree.
Care providers moved the children safely indoors and called for a conservation officer to remove the predator from the area.
Nobody was harmed in either incident.
The Ministry of Environment offers tips to deal with a cougar encounter. To help keep children safe they say:
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Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because of their high-pitched voices, small size and erratic movements; these character traits may make it difficult for cougars to identify children as humans and not prey.
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Talk to your children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar.
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Children playing outdoors should play in-groups. Children shouldn't be left unsupervised.
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Consider getting a dog or using a dog as an early warning system. A dog can see, smell and hear a cougar sooner than a human.
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Consider erecting a fence around play areas.
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Keep a radio playing
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Make sure children are home before dusk and stay indoors until after dawn - the period of time cougars are most active.
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If there have been cougar sightings, escort children to the bus stop early in the morning. Clear shrubs away from around the bus stops, making a radial area of ~ 9 metres.
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Having a light installed at the bus stop will also increase security.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013