Cougar reports south of Biggar considered credible, attack risk extremely low: conservation officer

The reports were made earlier this week by experienced hunters and outdoorspeople whom officers believe can identify what they are seeing.

He said there was no recent history of cougar sightings in that immediate area, but cougars occur naturally throughout Saskatchewan. Seeing one remains rare.

Matthew Tokaruk, a wildlife biologist with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment, said he was aware of several reports around Biggar, but it is not known how many cougars they represent. The reports could involve the same animal, though there is not enough information to be certain.

Tokaruk did not provide a provincewide population estimate. He said cougars occur at low densities across Saskatchewan, but the ministry currently has no active cougar research or monitoring program. It tracks mandatory reports submitted by trappers.

Cougars are generally solitary unless a female is travelling with young.

Male cougars can occupy home ranges covering hundreds of square kilometres, Tokaruk said. Thompson said an animal could be in one place one day and a considerable distance away the next, making it difficult to locate and trap.

A specialist may be setting traps in the area, Thompson said, although Saskatchewan’s open landscape allows cougars to cover ground quickly.

Members of the public cannot hunt the animal. Tokaruk said Saskatchewan has no cougar hunting season, although landowners may protect their property or livestock and must report any cougar they kill.

Licensed trappers can trap cougars from Oct. 15 to March 5 and must report any cougar caught.

Tokaruk said people walking outdoors should remain aware of their surroundings, travel with someone when possible, make normal conversational noise and keep pets leashed. Wildlife will generally move away once it realizes people are nearby.

“Animals, as a general rule, are more afraid of people than we are of them,” Thompson said.

Talking, laughing, singing or wearing bear bells can help alert animals to a person’s presence, he added.

Anyone who encounters a cougar should not turn around or run, which could trigger the animal’s instinct to pursue. Thompson said people should remain facing the cougar, make themselves appear large, shout, give it space and slowly back away.

Throwing an object can help distract or deter it. Tokaruk said bear spray can also be used if available, and a person should fight back if the animal continues approaching or makes contact.

“Anything in that case that would be wise to make that situation uncomfortable for the cougar, right?”

People should not feed a cougar, approach it or attempt to take a photograph at close range.

General questions about cougars can be directed to the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-567-4224. A cougar presenting a public-safety concern can be reported through the Turn In Poachers and Polluters line at 1-800-667-7561, while an imminent threat should be reported to 911.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Cougar reports south of Biggar considered credible, attack risk extremely low: conservation officer

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