el_richo

I've just seen an interesting documentary regarding Cougars on Vancouver Island.

According to National Geographic, just under 50% of all known cougar attacks in North America occur on Vancouver Island even though only 0.5% of the cougar population resides there.

They figure the attacks on humans are predominantly by juveniles due to the lack of small animals (rabbits etc) to practice and hone their skills on before moving on to larger prey (deer). Many of these occur when owners are walking their little doggy or child and the cougar wants to eat it.

Nat Geo also believe the number of cougars on the island has dropped by ~50% in the last 10 years due to deforestation and the secondary forest growing in such a way that it eliminates areas for deer to live and eat thus reducing their numbers.

Apologies for all who i've just bored beyond recovery and for those who already know this. I just found it interesting and learned something new so thought i'd share with those who didn't.

MR79

and here was me thinking it was about Cougers!!!!!! you know older women out on the prowl for younger guys....lol!!!

el_richo

Either way, it's recommended to avoid contact with both for your own safety.

MR79

lol!!! definately a danger to society....

Kaye.

I found it interesting
I've been researching a little about cougars and coyotes as we have 2 dogs and 2 young children and they are something we need to be aware of in Alberta.

GeDe

Hi Kaye, we are heading to Okotoks in April, do they get cougars as far east as that, I thought they liked the high ranges more we also have 2 kids.

sparkling_gal

That's interesting. I love the National Geographic site. Glad we're not planning on Vancouver Island to live though - I would rather come face to face with a bear than a cougar.

el_richo

I think the chances of being attacked are pretty negligible

Lord Vader

Don't forget about the Grizzlies, a big ferocious bear that lurks in Okotoks and in Calgary.

Londonuck

Ive was chased by a coyote on the road to Pemberton and i was in a 4x4! They had a problem round Granville for a while with coyotes.

dboy

there's always been a bit of an issue with coyotes in vancouver.

I was called to a house in north burnaby one time where a cougar got into someone's kitchen and decided to have a nap under the kitchen table. We had to wait hours for the wildlife guys ( try holding a shot gun for that long, I almost joined him under the table, i was cream cracked!), fortunately it never moved or we would have shot it ( would have made a mess of the kitchen as well). An odd experience for a lad from Manchester.

dboy

No you wouldn't i've faced both, I'll take a big pussy cat over hulking mass of bear any day.

el_richo

Having been in close proximity few times with one of the big buggers, i'd rather a Cougar than a Bear also.

Kaye.

I'm not sure to be honest, I read that there are about 1000 coyotes living within the limits of Calgary

I think asking a local would get us more information.. hopefully one will read this!!

Thanks LV, just what I wanted to hear

el_richo

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