CANMORE – A cougar is actively hunting in an area by the horse paddocks in Canmore.
Bow Valley Riding Association posted a warning on its website that a kill site was recently found, adding there are a lot of cougar tracks in the area.
The association has warned people to keep their dogs on leash as dogs can be seen as easy prey for cougars.
“The kill site was buried and when uncovered was part of a coyote,” said Lisa Young, a member of the Bow Valley Riding Association.
“That was found a day or two ago and the next day it had been taken/moved. It was close to the horse paddocks. He is a big guy… the print I posted was bigger than my palm.”
Cougar encounters are extremely rare.
Solitary animals, the big cats are active at all times of the day, though typically hunt at dusk and dawn.
Cougars are efficient predators that feed primarily on deer and elk in Alberta. The rest of their diet consists of elk, moose, bighorn sheep and small mammals.
In order to reduce the chances of cougar encounters, outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to travel in groups, make noise and keep dogs on leash. Bear spray can be used on cougars.
