A mountain biker in Halfmoon Bay’s Connor Park “did everything right” on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 18, when he was chased by a cougar.
Conservation officer Leland Klassen told Coast Reporter the call came through on the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line, after the biker was able to make himself big and aggressive to scare off the cougar.
The Conservation Officer Service (COS) was unable to find a cougar in the area, near the Pterodactyl Trail.
While the biker was not injured, the Sunshine Coast Regional District will be putting up signs. COS notified the nearby daycare.
Klassen said the incident is hopefully a one-off, and there is no reason to panic.
“Things like this can happen,” he said. “People just need to be prepared for wildlife that are in the area.”
Pets should remain leashed, and people should keep an eye on small children. Klassen recommended not going to the area alone, and suggested bear spray as a defence tool if needed.
The public is asked to call 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) if they see a cougar, as COS tries to track the animal.
