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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.