The hunt is on for a cougar spotted snacking on fawn and frightening children in a residential area of Port Alberni.
The BC Conservation Officer Service confirmed it was tracking the big cat in the area of 14th and Argyle after multiple sightings.
There have been numerous reports of the cougar in the area over the last six weeks.
Due to “elevated” behaviour and not showing fear of humans, the cougar will be destroyed when and if it is found, conservation officer Steve Accles said.
Reports in a local Facebook group that the cougar jumped at a group of children are false, according to Accles.
He said two young boys came across the animal in the woods after looking for deer, then screamed and ran away.
The cougar did not respond to the kids, who Accles said “did all the wrong things.”
Anyone who sees a cougar is urged to back away slowly and talk in a confident voice, as sudden movement or turning your back may trigger an attack.
Others on Facebook reported being told to keep their kids inside as the search unfolded.
“The cops pulled over to let me know too. Said it was a good idea to get the kids inside for a bit,” one commenter wrote.
Another who said he spotted the big cat said it was the size of “a full grown Great Dane 160 pounds or more.”
Hounds were deployed in the area to try to track it down.
It’s unclear whether it’s the same cougar spotted outside a Port Alberni home on July 19.
Nicole Shanks posted photos to Facebook of the cougar prowling just outside of her house.
Others have reported losing livestock to the predator over the last several weeks.
Anyone who sees the animal is asked to report it to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
