Conservation officers and their K-9 teams spent Wednesday scouring Blackcomb Mountain for two cougars that were reported this past weekend.
COS said the crews investigated fresh sightings throughout the day and even checked a report of a grizzly bear, but no cougars were found. One sighting turned out to be a pair of coyotes, while the bear was confirmed as a cinnamon-phase black bear, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) said. “COs are continuing to monitor and assess cougar activity and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety,” the update said.
Officers have received multiple calls since Friday night regarding cougars chasing, stalking, and acting aggressively toward people on local trails. The same two cats are believed to have triggered last week’s temporary shutdown of the Rubble Creek trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, COS believe.
In consultation with Whistler Blackcomb, the resort’s central Mountain Bike Park reopened on Tuesday, but all trails on the Blackcomb side remain closed while the search continues. Officials urged anyone who encounters a cougar or sees one acting aggressively to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277. Safety tips are available at WildSafeBC.com.
Daisy Heisler says
We invade the wild areas and then want to kill the animals who don’t know they should not trespass. Shame on humans for selfishness and the officers who want to kill.