Residents reported three more possible cougar sightings in Oak Bay overnight Tuesday, police say.
All three of the reports are unconfirmed, but police have called in the BC Conservation Officer Service to investigate.
The reports all took place in the south part of the city, including Hamiota Street at Estevan Avenue, just blocks away from Ecole Willows Elementary, in the 900-block of Linkleas Avenue, and McNeill Avenue at Transit Road – which is near Monterey Middle School.
Oak Bay Police said they’ve contacted the nearby schools to advise them of the reports.
The principal of Ecole Willows told CTV News supervisors were keeping a close eye on kids during recess and lunch.
“I called a meeting of our supervisors, let them know what was happening. We had whistles out on the three areas that children play,” said Wendy Holob.
The latest reports come after a string of possible cougar sightings over the last week.
Two reports emerged from the south part of Oak Bay last Wednesday, followed by two more at Camosun College and in the 1300-block of Rockland Avenue in Victoria Friday.
All of those reports are unconfirmed as well, and Oak Bay Police said one of them was nothing more than a rustling in some bushes.
A BC Conservation Officer said it’s hard to catch an up-close glimpse of a cougar because the big cats are so stealthy.
“They’re very secretive animals, they don’t want to be seen,” said Sgt. Scott Norris. “They’re scared, they want to get back to the wilderness.”
Anyone who spots the cougar is asked to call the BC Conservation Officer Service directly at 1-877-952-7277.
Residents are advised to keep children or small pets close when outside.
Three more cougar sightings were reported in the south part of Oak Bay overnight. Each marker on the map represents a reported sighting in the last 24 hours.
