Port Moody warns of cougars following Eagle Mountain sightings

The City of Port Moody is warning residents about cougars active in the community.

Several residents posted to social media earlier this week about cougar sightings on Eagle Mountain.

One poster said he witnessed a cougar cross East Road near Eagle Mountain Middle School on Dec. 11, while other commenters said they had recently seen them off Panorama Drive, and even as far south as Westwood Elementary in Port Coquitlam.

Another said they had recently captured a cougar on home security footage on Hickory Drive and Fernwood Place.

Julie Pavey-Tomlinson, Port Moody’s director of environment and parks, said that B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) had advised them of increased cougar activity around Hickory Drive and David Avenue.

“According to COS, cougar behaviour appears to be normal; however, as we near the holidays and more residents may be outdoors/on trails, we decided to share information via social media to ensure that the public continues to be wildlife-aware,” Pavey-Tomlinson said.

Cougars are frequently active in Port Moody, often leading to human-wildlife conflicts.

Between August 2020 and March 2021, five cougar attacks on dogs (two of which died) led to a cougar being euthanized by B.C. conservation officers near Ioco Road.

Cougars were frequently being sighted around the Bert Flinn Park area, and appeared unfazed by nearby humans, according to the COS, who described it as “escalating behaviour.”

The City of Port Moody’s wildlife page stated that cougar sightings increase in the late winter and early spring, as their preferred prey move into more urban areas.

They recommend dog owners keep their pets leashed and under control at all time, keep cats indoors, and remove bird feeders as they attract cougar prey.

Trail walkers are recommended to be alert and make noise when walking and to never run during an encounter.

“If you encounter a cougar, you should stay calm and back away slowly,” the city advised. ‘Turn and face the animal, use jackets/back packs to look as big as possible.”

If a cougar appears to be stalking you, residents are told to yell and throw objects like stick and stones.

All sighting and encounters in urban areas should be reported to the RAPP (Report all poachers and polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277.