A Pemberton man has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise funds to preserve a cougar that was killed on his family farm.
On February 10, a cougar killed one of Angus Cormack’s Sicilian donkey on his family farm. The cougar was trapped and destroyed by Conservation Officer Service.
Cormack says he was quite amazed at the incredible animal, having seen it for the first time from such a close distance.
“I had known about them and heard how impressive they were but when I saw this male cat in person I was awestruck. I was also super conflicted and pretty sad that it had to be destroyed,” Cormack says.
Although the cougar had to be destroyed, the discussion then turned to how it could be preserved for educational purposes.
“After the cougar was killed I immediately wanted to share my impression of the animal with friends and family. I also thought that it would be of great value to have the animal on display in Lilwat territory for others to see and appreciate what lives around here,” Cormack says.
Ken Popjes of the Conservation Officer Service confirmed that the Service is working with the cultural centre and Cormack to have the cougar on display at the Ts̓zil Learning Centre in Mount Currie.
“We are waiting to issue a permit for the cougar to be displayed for educational purpose,” he said.
Cormack says it is humbling to know the cougar would be displayed on Lilwat Nation territory. He hopes the community would contribute to his Go Fund Me campaign to help raise $5,000 to cover the cost of a high-quality taxidermy display.
