Conservation officers continue to monitor the B+K trail system in Roberts Creek following a cougar encounter over the weekend.
As of Tuesday, June 13, the cougar that chased and swiped a mountain biker on the B+K trail system Sunday afternoon has not been spotted again, Conservation Officer Service (COS) Sgt. Dean Miller told Coast Reporter in an email. He noted that cougar range is between 30 square miles for females and 100 square miles for males and that cougars will remain in a specific area only when they have a kill to feed on. "In that case they will feed for 3-5 days and then move on," he said. Conservation officers didn't find any kills that would increase the likelihood of the cougar remaining in the immediate area, he said.
"The COS have trail cameras running in the B+K trail system which are being monitored daily. Patrols of the area are being conducted twice a day," said Miller.
Asked how concerned residents should be about the incident, Miller said, "Residents should always be prepared for interactions with wildlife when recreating in forested areas in BC. Cougar attacks are very rare but they do happen." People should recreate in groups as cougars are less likely to attempt approaching a group and should a cougar approach, bear spray is a tool that can be used. He also directed people to the Wildsafe BC website for information on being prepared while recreating in cougar country.
Asked what else he wanted to tell Coasters, Miller said, "Please prepare yourself when recreating in forested areas anywhere in BC. Predatory wildlife is present and should be respected with proper education and preparation before entering into forested lands."
