This cougar was shot by the conservation service after killing livestock in Lumby.
Image Credit: Robert Rutherford
August 31, 2015 - 4:57 PM
LUMBY - A cougar was put down by the Conservation Service Monday morning in Lumby after it attacked livestock.
Conservation officers trapped and shot the large, roughly five-year-old, 170 pound male cougar, after it killed a resident’s sheep and alpaca in the Schwartz Road area behind J.W. Inglis Elementary. Conservation officer Ken Owens says the cougar couldn’t be relocated.
“Once they begin killing livestock they usually don’t stop,” Owens says. “It’s a positive learning experience for the cougar and they realize how easy it is to prey on domestic animals.”
It’s possible this is the same cougar that went after a Lumby resident’s horse last month. Owens says there were no reports of the cougar being aggressive or threatening to people.
The conservation service is reminding the public, especially people that live in rural areas or who have livestock, to consider taking precautions to prevent conflicts with wildlife.
“Cougar-proof fencing involves some effort from the landowner, but it works. It’s very effective in ensuring livestock are protected,” Owens says.
He’s also reminding the public to contact the conservation service immediately in cases of livestock depredation, or if a cougar is spotted.
You can report wildlife sightings or conflicts to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277, cellular dial #7277 or online at www.rapp.bc.ca.
This cougar was trapped and euthanized Aug. 31 after preying on livestock in Lumby.
Image Credit: Ken Owens
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 with information from the conservation officer service.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015