More cougars are roaming the region this year.

Sightings of the large wild cats have increased this year over last, according to Conservation Officers.

sa国际传媒淭his year seems to be slightly higher than others for sightings,sa国际传媒� said CO Tanner Beck. sa国际传媒淚 wouldnsa国际传媒檛 say itsa国际传媒檚 a record year.sa国际传媒�

Wayne Andre recently spotted a large cat roaming near his home neighbouring BX Elementary school.

sa国际传媒淚t passes through my backyard and Isa国际传媒檝e seen the fresh tracks and only seen it on my game cam once at night,sa国际传媒� said Andre.

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Another possible cougar sighting took place on Upland Drive in Coldstream Sunday, March 17.

Spencer Lindskoog captured a photo of what is believed to be a cougar across the road in front of his house.

sa国际传媒淲ish I got a picture five seconds earlier,sa国际传媒� he posted on Facebook. sa国际传媒淚 couldnsa国际传媒檛 believe my eyes.

While many are surprised to see these large cats roaming the neighbourhoods, it is not uncommon.

sa国际传媒淚 used to live on Scenic Drive as a kid and even 20 years ago we would have cougar sightings in that area every year,sa国际传媒� said Brittany Paulson.

Beck agrees.

sa国际传媒淚n all reality, theresa国际传媒檚 been cougars there lots,sa国际传媒� he said of not just this, but the many areas where cougars are spotted.

sa国际传媒淭his happens every single year, this time of year,sa国际传媒� said Beck.

Unfortunately, a number of unofficial reports of cougar sightings are being made via social media.

As an example, it was recently reported that a large cat was sleeping on the back deck of a BX resident. Yet, Beck said the closest report to that is that cougar tracks have been spotted on a deck.

sa国际传媒淲e donsa国际传媒檛 get the information,sa国际传媒� said Beck. sa国际传媒淧eople are hearing things.sa国际传媒�

Those who have personally spotted a cougar are urged to report their sightings, versus second or third parties making the call.

Beck would also like to clarify the Conservation Officesa国际传媒檚 protocol on destroying cougars.

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sa国际传媒淲e donsa国际传媒檛 wait until they attack,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淲e base it on the behaviour of the cat. But we cansa国际传媒檛 go killing cougars just because they are here.sa国际传媒�

Behaviour that would warrant action includes any interest in people and if a cougar is spotting during the day time walking through a neighbourhood. The predatory killing of livestock and pets is also what COs look for.

Families are reminded to have cougar safety talks with their children and keep an eye on them in their yards. Kids who walk to the bus stop in semi-rural areas should do so in groups versus alone.

sa国际传媒淭heysa国际传媒檙e always around so people should be doing (these things) all the time.sa国际传媒�

The good news is, with spring upon us, it is likely that the deer will be able to retreat to the hills for food. And the cougars will follow.

sa国际传媒淲hen their food disperses, then the cougars also disperse.sa国际传媒�

jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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