Fish and Wildlife officers are advising residents and visitors in the West County near Sundre to ensure they are keeping a good eye on their young children and pets after two cougars recently had to be destroyed after killing pets.Unlike bears, cougars remain active throughout the winter months, making it vital that everyone be cougar aware at this time of year, said Fish and Wildlife officer Tony Brooks.The juvenile male cougars, believed to be siblings about one year of age, went onto the deck of a rural home about 16 kilometres west of Sundre shortly after midnight on Dec. 9 and killed a family dog.ìThe landowner was able to scare the cougars away,î said Brooks.About an hour later, the cougars returned to the same location and killed a family cat.Brooks was called to the scene by the pets' owner later that morning.ìWhen I arrived at the site I determined there were two cougars that were travelling together. With the help of a houndsman and his dogs we were able to track the cougars down and euthanized them (with rifle shots),î he said.Brooks says the same cougars are believed to be responsible for killing a number of other family dogs in the district over the past three weeks.ìWe have had several earlier complaints about domestic dogs going missing and some of the complainants actually saw cougar tracks in the snow,î he said.The incidents all highlight the need for anyone living or visiting the wilderness areas west of Sundre to be aware of the potential danger of cougar encounters, he said.ìThere are cougars around that whole area so it's a matter of being cougar aware, which means keeping dog and cat food indoors, feeding them inside, and keeping any other cougar attractants like food inside the house or a contained building,î he said. ìIf you have any children, make sure they have adult supervision if they are playing outside. And that applies throughout the year.îBrooks says since cougars are ìfairly stealthyî it may be hard to tell if they are around your property.The Mountain View BearSmart Society promotes awareness of the possible danger of bear and cougar encounters. The society offers the following cougar facts that may help in avoiding encounters:ï Cougars can usually be found in wooded, rocky areas and may den in dense underbrush, under an overhang of tree branches, under logs or in rock caves.ï When threatened, cougars seek refuge in trees, and stay in the limbs of the trees until the danger has passed.ï Cougars do not normally prefer flat, open terrain. However, they may be spotted in the river valleys and other wildlife travel corridors that pass through such terrain.ï Cougars are curious and adaptable and can survive in territory that provides shelter and a food source such as deer.ï Cougars are efficient hunters who silently stalk and ambush their prey from the ground.ï Cougars normally prey on deer, elk, moose, sheep and small mammals.ï Cougars normally vocalize only when mating, communicating with kittens or when feeling threatened.Anyone encountering a cougar in the area is asked to call the nearest Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife office. In Sundre, the number is 403-638-3805, in Olds 403-556-4256, or call toll-free at 310-0000 and ask for the nearest office.
