Possible Cougar Spotted in Echo Dale Regional Park
City of Medicine Hat staff working in Echo Dale Regional Park this week have spotted what appears to be a cougar, in the vicinity. This is not uncommon as many areas of Alberta report cougar sightings each year.
Signs will be posted at the Park warning the public of the sighting.
Some safety tips to remember if you spot or encounter a cougar anywhere in your travels:
- Do not run or turn your back.
- Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn.
- 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 the cougar spots you keep eye contact as you slowly back away to safety.
- Pick up or remain holding small children.
- Look larger than life. Raise your arms above your head to make yourself look larger than normal. This may help to intimidate the cougar. You may also want to throw rocks and yell at it. Aggression will often scare it off.
- Report the sighting to the local Fish and Wildlife Office at 403. 529.3680
August 5th, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Heather says:
I spotted a small cougar at the methenex bowl by the leisure center on sunday August the 5 at 9 am. we followed it in my vehicle as it across the road by the bmx track and took off. I called it in but since its a sunday and a long weekend no one was there.