WOLF LAKE – The spotting of a cougar at Wolf Lake MD of Bonnyville Campground has prompted a warning by the municipality for recreational users to exercise extra caution.
The municipality released a ‘Cougar in the Area’ warning in the afternoon of Aug. 23, stating that “a cougar had been spotted in and around our Wolf Lake MD park.”
Recreational users are still welcome to use the recreational park and campground but are being urged to be “cougar aware.”
Campers using Wolf Lake amenities are asked to make sure all human and pet food is contained inside a camper or vehicle to deter wildlife from entering the campground.
The MD also encourages recreational users to “Keep your campsite clean and put all trash in the available wildlife-proof bins.”
While cougars, also known as mountain lions, are elusive and generally prefer to avoid contact with humans, encounters are known to happen. However, attacks on humans are very rare, indicates the Government of Alberta ‘Living with Wildlife’ website.
Several tips on how to be cougar-aware have been provided by the provincial government:
Before you go outdoors...
Find family or friends to go with. Cougars are less likely to approach groups of people.
Ensure your bear spray has not yet expired and air horn or other noise deterrents are working. Make sure you know how to use them.
Leave your dog at home. If you must bring your dog, ensure it is kept close and on a leash at all times.
Talk to those in your group. Make an informed plan for how the group will respond if you see a cougar.
Charge your cell phone batteries and pack your cell phone.
Prepare children for staying safe in cougar territory. Teach them to:
Stay between the adults of the group and not run ahead or fall behind.
Never run away from cougars or show fear by screaming.
Always fight back and never give up if a cougar makes contact.
When in cougar country...
Keep your bear spray and noise deterrent on your belt or in a chest holster so you can access it quickly.
Do not wear headphones or anything else that might interfere with your ability to see clearly or hear the sounds that can alert you to the presence of wildlife.
Carry a walking stick, which can be used as a potential weapon against a cougar.
Make a lot of noise to avoid surprise encounters with cougars, or other wildlife.
Don't let anyone in the group wander off alone, especially children.
Always keep your dog close and on leash.
Be extra wary along tree lines, rock outcroppings or under ledges.
Be alert. Always watch for wildlife behind and ahead of you.
Watch for signs that a cougar has recently been in the area:
Tracks, scrapes and fresh kills. Cougars will bury their kills, and the buried kill may be difficult to spot. If you see part of an animal beneath a pile of leaves and grasses, assume you have located a cougar kill and leave the area.
Flocks of ravens or magpies may indicate a kill site where either cougars or bears could be found feeding.
Cougars and humans...
The few cougar incidents with humans that have occurred typically involved children playing outside alone or adults who are jogging, skiing or hiking alone.
Cougars may confuse children for prey species because, like many small prey species, children are small, make quick, erratic movements and have high-pitched voices.
Most cougar incidents in Alberta involve pets. Cougars see domestic cats and dogs as easy prey. When bringing your dog along on a hike, camping or fishing trip, keep in mind that it may attract a cougar.
If you see a cougar at a distance...
Cougars grooming or periodically looking away from you may simply be resting. In this case, avoid provoking the cougar:
Bring everyone in close and back away.
Do not run and do not turn your back.
Prepare to use your bear spray.
If the cougar is closer...
Cougars close and showing such behaviours as hissing, snarling, staring intensely and tracking your movements present a threat. You must show the cougar you are not a prey animal, and you are able to fight back:
Do not run. Do not turn your back.
Make sure children and dogs stay calm. Keep them very close.
Make yourself look big. Wave your arms, open your jacket and do not crouch down or bend over.
Use your noise deterrent and bear spray.
If the cougar makes contact...
Continue using bear spray.
Fight back with everything you can. Rocks, sticks or your fists should be aimed at the cougar's eyes and face.
If you're knocked down, get back up. Do not stop fighting.
Never play dead with a cougar.
