Cougar Update from Parks Canada

PARKS CANADA

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Parks Canada continues efforts to protect visitor safety after cougar
attack

UCLUELET, September 1, 2011 - Parks Canada is continuing to search for the
cougar that attacked an 18-month-old boy on Monday evening (August 29th).
The remote Kennedy Lake day use area remains closed.

Parks Canada's priority at this time is the ongoing safety of the public.
By focusing on the Kennedy Lake day use area, Parks Canada is making every
effort to capture the correct animal. In the case of an animal capture,
various evidence collected from the attack will be adopted to ensure the
animal is positively identified.

As several days have elapsed since the attack occurred, there is no longer
an adequate scent for trained dogs to track the cougar. For this reason,
the province’s conservation officers and ground dogs are no longer involved
in the search. However, the teams are on stand-by and will return when
required.

In addition to the closure of the Kennedy Lake day use area, adjacent BC
Park lands have been closed to public access. The entrance gate to the
Kennedy Lake day use area will be monitored on a 24-hour basis to ensure
visitor safety. Parks Canada continues to ask the public to advise us on
any cougar sightings. Please call 1-877-852-3100 with any specific details
regarding the time and location of the sighting and information about
animal behaviour.

While all other areas of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will remain
open, visitors should use precautions to reduce the possibility of
conflicts with wildlife. Parks Canada would like to remind the public of
the following safety tips for visiting wilderness that is shared by
cougars:
· Keep dogs on a leash at all times
· Never approach a cougar
· If approached by a cougar, back away slowly while maintaining eye contact
and create as much noise as possible. Wave arms to appear larger. Pick
children up.
· Carry pepper spray and an airhorn and use these items if approached by a
cougar.

Information:
Renee Wissink
Manager of Resource Conservation
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
250-726-7165 ext. 231