Warning issued after cougar spotted multiple times in Leduc
RCMP in Leduc has issued a warning after a cougar was spotted numerous times around the city early Tuesday morning.
Mounties say on Tuesday at approximately 3:25 am, Leduc RCMP received a report of a sighting of a large cat believed to be a cougar in the wooded area behind the skate park in Leduc.
Police learned that there was a report of a second sighting of the large cat at approximately 4:25 am in the area of 50 Street and 57 Avenue near Telford Lake.
Leduc RCMP has made extensive patrols in the area but has not located the animal.
Police say although encounters are rare, it is important to know what precautions to take and what to do if you encounter a cougar:
- Travel in groups in a wooded area.
- If you see a cougar in the distance, do not run or turn your back.
- If the cougar appears to be unaware of your presence, gather children and pets in close, slowly and cautiously back away, and leave the area.
- If a cougar is hissing and snarling or staring intently and tracking your movements, do not run, and do not play dead. Make yourself look big and speak loudly.
- If the cougar makes contact, fight back and don’t give up. Use all means at your disposal.
“It’s also critical to never feed any kind of wildlife in order to help prevent cougars and other predators from coming to your neighbourhood,” police added in a news release.
“Cougars are efficient predators that feed largely on deer and small mammals.”
If you encounter a cougar or other wildlife that may be a public safety concern, please report the incident to your local police and the 24-hour Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.