Cougar kills horse, showing stalking behaviours
DARRON KLOSTER Times Colonist
A rural community near Qualicum Beach is living in fear for their pets and small children after a cougar killed a miniature pony in its pen last week.
At least two cougars have been hanging around the Corcan Meadowood area for the past two weeks, said a member of the resident’s association, who said the big cats are showing “stalking behaviour.”
“We have a large number of families and a lot of younger kids in our area, so these cougars are definitely a concern,” said Chris Burger, who runs a general store at the centre of the rural community of about 700 houses about 15 minutes north of Qualicum Beach.
“Our kids play in the forest. They don’t have a playground like in the cities. They’re on the trails and in the woods — that’s life in a rural area.”
Dan Eichstadter of the B.C. Conservation Officers Service said the small pony was killed inside its pen by a cougar on Saturday. The attack was considered bold and unusual because the small horse was killed in its paddock in close proximity to a family’s home.
“For a cougar to kill an animal that is contained [in a pen], that’s elevated behaviour,” Eichstadter said. “The husbandry practices of securing animals are there to protect them.”
He said conservation officers have stepped up patrols after several sightings in the area.
“We are seeing increases in sightings and [the cougars] are being more active on the fringe hours of dusk and dawn seeking protein.”
Eichstadter said cougars normally prey on deer, raccoons and rabbits, but could be looking at pets such as cats and dogs.
It was unclear if the two cougars are a mother and older cub as some in the community have suggested. Residents say the cougars don’t appear to be hiding and look quite calm around people.
The Conservation Officers Service said that is not normal behaviour for a cougar.
Burger’s store is a gathering place where residents drop in and share information, and the rural area of about 2,000 has been abuzz with talk of the cougars. He said people in the community have reported three missing cats over the past two weeks.
“I get calls from people continuously saying they saw a cougar in their backyard or on a street,” he said, noting that a cougar was seen watching the fifth-wheel trailer his mother lives in from a few metres away.
“We’re teaching our kids to make sure they understand what to do if you see one or come close to one — don’t run, back away slowly.”
Berger said residents are used to living in a rural, forested area with corridors where wildlife travels frequently. “But this is different. These cats are hanging around here, and then the little horse was killed and pets are missing. People are very concerned.”
Conservation officers are asking people to call the provincial Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) to report any sightings.