Conservation officers set live trap for cougar on small island near Nanaimo, B.C. | 24CA News

B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) says it has set a reside lure on a small island close to Nanaimo, B.C., on Thursday with the intention of relocating a cougar that had been worrying residents because it was first noticed simply earlier than Christmas.

Agnes Provost, one in all round 350 residents on Protection Island, about 1.5 kilometres northeast of downtown Nanaimo, says they first noticed the cougar on Dec. 23.

“I feel unsafe. This island and community is known for having children go around without parents,” stated Provost. “You know, going walking their dogs at night without fear. So yeah, it’s changed.”

She says the cougar has killed a deer and probably a raccoon, however will not be displaying aggression towards residents.

“It’s very friendly, doesn’t seem to be climbing up any trees. And it goes around the beach. And it’s very active at night.”

Conservation officer Andrew Riddell says they hope the cougar will depart the island by itself, but when it doesn’t, they anticipate their lure will seize it in a single day or within the coming days.

WATCH | Cougar results in worry for some residents: 

Cougar leaps over porch gate on small B.C. island

Surveillance video caught a cougar leaping into the again porch of a resident on Protection Island, close to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in B.C.

Once caught, wildlife veterinarians and biologists will assess the animal’s well being and behavior and launch it in a location determined by a biologist. 

“All indications are that the animal’s still acting normally, which is why the intention is still to relocate the animal,” he informed 24CA News. 

“It’s hunting natural prey: deer and raccoons.”

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy says Protection Island will not be an uncommon location for a cougar to be.

“Cougars are common on Vancouver Island and will swim to smaller islands from time to time,” the ministry stated in an announcement.

‘We do not need to kill it’

Graham Adams discovered the deer carcass beneath his deck, which has him involved about going outdoors. 

“That was about the time I decided not to tussle with a cougar near a fresh kill and headed back indoors,” he wrote in an electronic mail to 24CA News.

Adams says whereas he is used to cougars, rising up in Alberta, he worries about this specific cat sticking round locally.

“The fact that this one is hanging around a relatively densely populated island and is seemingly unbothered by all the human activity is something that worries me, because it’s a sign of a cat that’s becoming habituated to humans.”

Provost says residents have referred to as conservation officers for an answer.

“We don’t want to kill it, we just would like it to either go to Saysutshun Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park or, you know, be relocated,” stated Provost. The provincial park is subsequent to Protection Island.

Provost and Graham have beforehand stated conservation officers did not need to intervene, as a result of the cougar was exhibiting regular behaviour and never aggression.

The ministry is urging residents to safe all attractants resembling rubbish, pet meals and compost, and advising residents to maintain pets leashed or inside, and kids in sight.

“Cougars can be attracted to children due to their small size and the noise they create,” they stated in the assertion. 

In a tweet, the COS stated cougars are nice swimmers, and it is common for cougars on Vancouver Island to sometimes island hop searching for prey.

It’s asking residents who’ve seen current sightings or predatory behaviour to report it to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-RAPP.