Cougar follows woman at Thetis Lake Park: RCMP
The West Shore RCMP are warning community members of a cougar encounter at Thetis Lake Park on Tuesday evening.
Mounties say the cougar was spotted just after 7 p.m. by a woman walking her dogs on a park trail.
The woman told police that the cougar "popped out along the trail" and followed her. She was able to stay calm, make noise, and return to her vehicle safely, police say.
Mounties went to the park Tuesday evening but were unable to locate the cougar. The BC Conservation Officer Service has been notified of the encounter.
Anyone who spots a cougar in an urban area is asked to call the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
If a wild animal appears to pose an immediate danger, residents are urged to call 911.
The West Shore RCMP has released several tips on how to avoid a cougar, such as hiking in groups, making noise to not surprise a cougar, and keeping children close and under control.
If you encounter a cougar, do not approach it, remain calm, try to appear large and talk to the cougar in a confident voice while backing away slowly.
Do not turn your back to a cougar and do not run from one. Children should also be picked up, as sudden or frightened movements can trigger an attack.
Further tips on cougar encounters can be found on the Province of B.C. website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.