We received several reports of a cougar sighting in Sandy Hook this week.
A number of residents in the area expressed concerns about safety of their children. One resident went so far as to say she has stopped her walks outside for fear of being attacked.
These residents called the conservation office with their concerns, but it seems the CO's office doesn't think the reports are credible.
When we contacted the office in the Lower Mainland we were put in touch with a media relations officer who said there was no indication the cougar has been in Sandy Hook.
David Webster was quoted as saying "all we have is a second-hand account, which really isn't reliable information. What we need is a first-hand account."
For Webster to suggest that these cougar sightings are not reliable is ridiculous.
A first-hand account? Does that mean someone has to get mauled by the cougar before the conservation office sees fit to take the word of several residents, get off their butts in Surrey and do something about this?
Over the past year we have had several dealings with our local conservation officer Dan Aikenhead.
He has been a pleasure to work with and has always been helpful when we contacted him. We just found out that Aikenhead will be leaving the Coast soon, which means we loose a valuable link for conservation services on the Coast.
Will his position be replaced or are we going to be forced to deal with someone out of an office in Surrey?
We live in an area populated with wildlife. There are many complaints that need to be dealt with. We need an adequate conservation office - not just one person in charge of the whole Sunshine Coast and not someone sitting behind a desk in Surrey.
