VANCOUVER ISLAND

Police issue warning after cougar spotted at Camosun

CTV Vancouver Island Published Friday, October 9, 2015 11:55AM PDT

This undated photo provided by the Teton Cougar Project-Panthera shows a wildlife camera capturing an image of a cougar in northwest Wyoming as part of the Teton Cougar Project research effort. The research organized by the group Pathera has found that mountain lions are less solitary and more sociable than previously thought. (AP Photo/Teton Cougar Project-Panthera, Neil Wight)

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Police are issuing a warning after a cougar was spotted in a Camosun College parking lot early Friday morning.

Officers from both Saanich and Oak Bay Police discovered the cougar in the north parking lot of the campus, close to Foul Bay Road, at around 1:10 a.m.

The big cat walked away into a treed area and did not appear to be injured or unhealthy, according to police.

"It did not show any signs of aggression or predatory behaviour while being observed, and was likely wandering from green space to green space in search of food," said Saanich Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Eassie.

Police are reminding small pet owners that cougars usually move around at night, and they should keep their animals inside to be safe.

It comes just a few days after a cougar was spotted in James Bay, near the B.C. Legislature, spurring an hours long search for the large animal.

It was later tranquilized by BC Conservation Officers and relocated to the wilderness.

The agency has been notified of the latest sighting, police said.