A screenshot of the cougar seen at roughly 12 a.m. July 24 in Lake Country.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Michelle Youssef
July 24, 2020 - 2:10 PM
A Lake Country woman is warning others about a cougar that was spotted wandering through her neighbourhood this week.
Michelle Youssef said her seven-year-old son was out walking the dog in her neighbourhood near Hare Road in Lake Country today, July 24, when her neighbourhood told her that a cougar had been seen in the area. After checking their security camera, they noticed the cougar was seen prowling around last night around midnight.
There have been bears in the neighbourhood, but this is the first time they’ve seen a cougar, Youssef said.
She posted the security footage to a well-known Lake Country Facebook group in order to raise awareness. Her neighbour has notified the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
READ MORE: Just a cougar out for an early morning stroll through North Okanagan neighbourhood
WildSafeBC said cougars account for approximately 2,500 calls to the conservation officer service reporting line every year. Attacks are very rare, but WildSafeBC recommends if you encounter one, stay calm, don't run, and pick up small children and pets.
Within the last month, there has only been one cougar sighting reported in the Central Okanagan, according to WildSafeBC’s reporting program map. The sighting was reported in West Kelowna on July 18.
Cougars prey primarily on deer but will also hunt other smaller mammals if the opportunity presents itself.
The conservation officer service could not be immediately reached for comment.
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