Cougar warning issued for pets, kids around Mount Tolmie

Sandra McCulloch
Times Colonist
September 14, 2005

A cougar spotted on Mount Tolmie Tuesday afternoon has prompted Saanich Police to warn residents to be careful, watch over small children and keep dogs and cats indoors.

The cougar was sighted at 1:10 p.m. at the top of the hill, forcing the park's closure until 3 p.m. A subsequent search for the animal came up with no clues.

"It's probably the same one that's been around the area lately," said Staff-Sgt. Mike Rowley.

"We notified the conservation officers but they need two confirmed sightings before they'll come down from Nanaimo."

Cougars are usually more of a problem for city dwellers in spring than this time of year, said Rowley, a former pound officer.

"The ones who wander down from the hills in the fall maybe have an abscess tooth or a thorn in the paw -- something like that. They could get scared or lost."

Despite being surrounded by city blocks, there's a lot of bush around Mount Tolmie, Rowley said.

The cat may continue to wander or it might perch in a tree. In any case, people should be careful with pets while the cougar is a threat.

"A few years ago, we lost our cat to a cougar," said Rowley.

"The reality is if a cougar is hungry, a dog and a cat isn't going to put up much of a fight. (Cougars) are powerful animals...they're ambush predators and they hunt running animals."

People should stay away from the cougar, he said.

"If people see it treed, they should call us right away. We can get officers to keep it treed until conservation officers get there."

Saanich police can be reached at 475-4321.