Large cougar caught on camera prowling small island off Nanaimo, B.C.
This time of year, doorbell cameras are traditionally capturing video of postal workers and possibly a family member slipping on ice, but on a small island off Nanaimo, B.C., the lens is focusing in on a very large feline.
On Tuesday night, at least two different doorbell cameras caught a large cougar prowling dangerously near homes on Protection Island, B.C.
The small island with around 350 homes is located just east of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. It’s considered part of the City of Nanaimo, using the region's power, garbage and sewer services.
In the first doorbell video, the cougar lurks sleekly on the far left side of the frame just metres from the front door of a Protection Island home.
The cougar is pictured on Protection Island, B.C., on Dec. 27, 2022. (Submitted)
In the second video, a large cougar's eyes glow almost florescent before the entire form of the lanky cat comes into frame.
The cougar, which appears to be fully grown, easily leaps over the top of a small fence gate before jumping towards a home and out of sight.
The cougar is pictured on Protection Island, B.C., on Dec. 27, 2022. (Submitted)On a local Facebook page, residents say the cougar has been spotted in several different areas of the small island for the past week.
In posts, residents say there is a large food source of deer and even otters for a predator like a cougar to dine on.
COUGARS KNOWN TO SWIM IN OPEN OCEAN
The B.C. Conservation Officers Service says it has received multiple reports of cougar sightings on Protection Island in the past week.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change tells CTV News it's closely monitoring the situation on the small Gulf Island.
While cats may have the reputation of hating water, conservation officers say cougars are known to swim in the open ocean between Vancouver Island and southern Gulf Islands in search of food.
The service is encouraging anyone on Protection Island who sees this large cougar to call its RAPP line at 1-877-952-RAPP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
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.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
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.
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.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.