Hatchery advocates for wildlife coexistence following cougar sightings

A quartet of cougars caught on camera last week prompted an appeal for coexistence from the Mossom Creek Hatchery.

While the video of four cougars sauntering through the Mossom Creek watershed may be worrying for pet owners, it should also underscore the need to manage attractants, according to a message posted by the hatchery.

“We want to remind the public that the onus is on each of us to prevent wildlife conflicts. Please read up on how to prevent cougars from visiting your yard,” the hatchery stated.

The hatchery opted to share the cougar video, in part, to remind the public that the animals will move into areas where food is easy to find.

“We are appealing to the public to remove attractants from their yards, keep their cats inside, not leave their dogs unattended in their yards, and keep pets leashed on trails,” the message stated.

Several residents posted to social media recently following a series of cougar sightings on Eagle Mountain.

The cougars were likely moving through the area in search of black-tailed deer. The hatchery posted a photo of a young black-tailed buck stopping at the creek for a drink in late-October.

Over a week in February 2021 a family of cougars killed a dog and stalked an elderly couple as well as a teenager before one of the animals was eventually euthanized.

One conservation officer referred to sentiment in the community at the time as “cougar fever.”

Apex and the ecosystem

The presence of cougars could be a good sign for the watershed.

“We consider that seeing wildlife, especially apex predators move through the watershed, is an indication of a healthy ecosystem,” the hatchery stated in a release.

It’s not unusual for young cougars to stay with their mother for as long as two years.

The watershed cameras have captured similar groups of cougars twice over the past decade, according to a release from Mossom Creek Hatchery.

The range of a female cougar is estimated to be about 150 square kilometres.

In otter news

In October, at least nine otters were recorded romping by Mossom Creek just as the coho run began.