A teenaged camp counsellor was the victim of what the Conservation Officer Service (COS) is calling a “minor, but concerning cougar attack” last month near Camp Potlatch, north of Port Mellon.
The incident was one of a handful highlighted by COS deputy chief Chris Doyle in a Thursday conference call with media on recent human human-wildlife conflicts and enforcement action.
Sunshine Coast conservation officer, Sgt. Dean Miller, told Coast Reporter it happened the evening of July 12 when the counsellor, a boy in his late teens, was sitting around a campfire away from the main camp with a group that included children as young as nine and 10.
The victim suffered only minor injuries, but Miller said it was “pretty scary” for the youngsters.
“The accounts from the witnesses make us believe this was a fairly young juvenile cat, what we call a dispersing cat, just recently separated from its mother,” Miller said. “A cat [like that] may have learned some hunting techniques during the time with its mother, but once it’s out on its own it’s a bit different… When a cat is confused about its prey species or starving, it might do some unusual behavior.”
Miller said conservation officers spent about five and a half days in the area investigating the attack, in part because they wanted to be sure there was no danger for the large number of children at the camp at this time of year. He said the response included using tracking dogs and setting up bait stations, calls, and trail cameras, but they weren’t able to find the cougar.
He also said there was a second confirmed cougar sighting a couple of days after the attack but the cat, which may have been a different one than the cougar involved in the July 12 incident, didn’t show any dangerous or unusual behavior.
Camp Potlatch, which is run by the Boys and Girls Clubs of BC, is in a boat access only wilderness area on the west shore of Howe Sound between McNab Creek and Woodfibre.
Miller said the camp has reviewed and updated its safety procedures as a result of the cougar attack.
Wildsafe BC recommends that if you encounter a cougar the first priority is to keep calm. Make yourself look as large as possible and back away slowly, keeping the cougar in view, and allowing the cougar a route to get away.
If you have children or small pets with you, pick them up.
Never run or turn away because sudden movements may provoke an attack.
The Wildsafe advice continues, “If you notice a cougar that is watching you, maintain eye contact with the cougar and speak to it in a loud firm voice. Reinforce the fact that you are a human and not an easy target. Back out of the area and seek assistance or shelter.
“If a cougar shows aggression, or begins following you, respond aggressively in all cases as cougars see you as a meal: keep eye contact, yell and make loud noises, and show your teeth. Pick up nearby sticks, rocks, or whatever you have at hand to quickly to use as a weapon if necessary – crouch down as little as possible when picking things up off the ground.
If the cougar attacks, fight back, focusing on its facial and eye area. Use rocks, sticks, bear spray, or personal belongings as weapons. You are trying to convince the cougar that you are a threat, and are not prey.”
Incidents involving wildlife can be reported to the Conservation Officer Service 24/7 at 1-877-952-7277.
