With the recent cougar activity/sightings in WBC, it’s high time to share some essential safety tips for those facing off with a cougar.

➡️ Nature’s Telegrams: Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife signs.
➡️ Staycation: Cougars love a doggy date, but it’s safer to leave your furry friend at home. If your pup insists on joining, keep ’em close and leashed.
➡️ Cell Phone SOS: Carry a cell phone— it can be your lifeline in the wild.
➡️ Ear-Free Expedition: Ditch the headphones. Nature’s soundtrack is way more interesting.
➡️ Buddy System: No lone rangers here! Recreate with a buddy or a whole squad—safety in numbers, folks.
➡️ Kid Keeper: Wrangle the little adventurers! Keep the kiddos in the middle, and no running off on their own (no wilderness hide-and-seek).

We’re all just neighbours, sharing the same backyard. So what happens if you’ve dropped in for an unexpected visit?

1️) Cougar spotted at a distance? Cool.

  • DON’T play fetch.
  • Round up your entourage, especially the tiny humans and furballs.
  • Cougars appreciate a heads-up, just like we do. Make some noise to let them know you’re in the neighborhood.
  • Cougars are sprinters, not marathon runners so master the art of the slow regress while keeping your eyes on the majestic creature. Running might trigger its instinct to chase.
  • Maintain eye contact – make it a staring contest.
  • Ready the bear spray, just in case it’s into spicy encounters.

2️) Cougar’s getting cozy, hissing, snarling, or giving you the death stare?

  • Declare your independence: “I’m not prey material, pal!”
  • If you’ve got mini-humans, lift them without crouching, or keep them close.
  • Serenade the cougar with a robust shout.
  • Become a runway model; open that jacket, wave your arms, and flaunt your walking stick.
  • Unleash the noise maker and bear spray.
  • Distract the cougar with a backpack sacrifice. Cougars aren’t into sharing, and we all know how territorial they can be.

3️) Cougar’s up close and personal? Time for the grand finale.

  • Keep the bear spray performance going – it’s a blockbuster.
  • Grab anything in sight as your prop; aim for the cougar’s eyes and face.
  • If you’re down, rise like a phoenix – no cougar snacks allowed.
  • Resist the temptation to play dead; this isn’t a Shakespearean tragedy.
  • Post-show, stay vigilant until you hit the safety zone.

More information is available at: https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/4477103/preventing_conflict_with_wildlife-cougars.pdf

Respecting wildlife is the key to coexisting harmoniously. 🐾