Juvenile cougar killed after teen stalked in Port Coquitlam

PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – Conservation officers have killed a juvenile cougar after an adult cougar stalked a teenager around Hyde Creek Tuesday night.

“A 14-year-old was walking home and was followed by a mother cougar and a juvenile cougar,” Sgt. Alicia Stark with the the Conservation Officer Service said.

The cougars didn’t make any contact with the teen, but Stark says officers went to the scene right away.

“Response from the COs (conservation officers) was immediate. We arrived on scene with our hound team and immediately discovered a juvenile cougar in the area. That cougar was euthanized,” Stark said.

A warning for those in Tri-Cities. Conservation officers killed a young cougar last night after reports a 14 year old kid was stalked by two cats near Hyde Creek. Other animal (believed to be mother cougar) has not been found. Multiple cougar on dog attacks recently nearby.

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) February 17, 2021

Conservation officers stayed at the scene throughout the night.

“Tracking the second cougar believed to be involved in the incident, but it was unsuccessful,” Stark said.

Conservation officers are still in the area Wednesday. They’re asking anyone who sees cougars in the area to report it to them right away.

“We believe there were two cougars involved but there may be other cougars that are showing bold behaviour in the area,” Stark added.

This incident follows a number of reports over the past week of cougars attacking dogs in the Tri-Cities.

Related:

• Cougar euthanized after attack north of Whistler leaves man with ‘major injuries’

• Cougar swipes at dog on Coquitlam Crunch Trail, ‘numerous’ sightings reported

• Cougar attacks 10-year-old boy near Lillooet, dog leaps into action

Stark says while they usually hear of more cougar sightings this time of year, the animals don’t usually get so close.

“This bold behaviour is not normal. Especially the bold behaviour that we are seeing increase in the urban area,” she said.

“We have had the two incidents with dogs, as well as one incident where a cougar approached a male that had a dog. But I can’t talk for sure on the exact cause of this,” she added.

If you come across a cougar, Stark says you should stand tall, but don’t turn and run.

“Act bold. Don’t run. Back away, but don’t necessarily turn your back to it. Leave an escape route on either side of you, if the cougar is to try and escape. Report immediately, when it’s safe to do so,” Stark said.

With files from Miranda Fatur