The odds of running into a cougar in Okotoks, or any other town, are still low, but the animals are coming into urban areas more often, said a biologist.
Stan Boutin, University of Alberta biological sciences professor, said cougars are more likely to be seen within a town or a city in river valley areas when following deer or other animals.
“They’re checking out where their prey is,” he said.
There were two separate sightings of Cougars within towns in the foothills area last month. One sighting, late in the evening of Feb. 14, occurred near the water treatment plant in the Sheep River Valley. In a second case, on Feb. 26 in Turner Valley, a cougar was reported to have chased two girls for a short distance.
Boutin said people should use caution when going into areas where cougars could be found. They are more likely to go after people than other animals like wolves or coyotes, he said.
“They are dangerous animals for humans,” said Boutin.
He said it’s better to be out with more than one person and people need to be aware of their surroundings. As well, Boutin said cougars are more active in the early mornings and early evenings and people should use more caution at these periods.
Darcy Whiteside, Alberta sustainable resources development spokesperson, said Turner Valley and Okotoks are in cougar territory. However, he said people aren’t likely to see cougars in an urban area as they naturally prefer to avoid contact with humans.
In the case of the Turner Valley sighting, Whiteside said subsequent investigation by fish and wildlife officers revealed the animal did not run after the girls. It only walked towards them a short distance before turning away, he said.
“Our officers are indicating they weren’t chased,” he said.
Since the incident, Whiteside said they have received a number of false reports in the last week, which were investigated by fish and wildlife officers. In one case, he said someone reported seeing a cougar in a tree in Turner Valley. He said officers don’t believe it was a cougar because the tree was too small to support the weight of the animal and officers found no tracks. A second case of a cougar hiding under a deck also turned out to be a false alarm.
There were 25 cougar sightings reported to Alberta Fish and Wildlife’s the High River office last year, but not all were confirmed, said Whiteside. The Province does not have statistics on the number of cougars in the Alberta, but he said it is known Alberta has a healthy cougar population.
He said anyone who sees a cougar should try to leave the area immediately and to not run. People should also try to make themselves look bigger by waving their arms or anything they’re carrying and not turn their back to the animal.
“If you see a cougar, give it a wide range,” he said.
Whiteside also said people should keep their yards clear and keep any garbage in a secured container to help prevent attracting cougars.
The recent sightings have people a little more aware about the possibility of running into a cougar in the Sheep River valley.
Okotoks resident Barb Bond said she has never seen a cougar from her home overlooking the river, but this doesn’t mean she doesn’t think they’re not out there. She knows the valley is prime cougar habitat and that they are elusive animals that can’t be trusted, but it doesn’t stop her from venturing out.
“I’m always on the lookout, I’m quite aware,” she said.
She said there are often a lot of people on the paths, which helps to keep the animals out of sight. But, she is more careful when there aren’t as many people around.
Debbie Zelez and Elena Aitken were well aware of the potential of running into a cougar in the valley as they were out for an afternoon job on Monday.
They always run in pairs or groups and they won’t do so at dawn or dusk.
“We don’t run alone down here,” said Aitken.
“Especially with recent events,” added Zelez.
Zelez said the Town is good at putting up signs warning about dangerous animals in the area in the past – including one put up last year about a badger with young cubs – but they haven’t seen any signs after the most recent sighting in town.
