Priddis residents concerned about cougars attacking livestock and pets will gain words of advice this week.
Rising concerns about recent cougar activity in the community has prompted Alberta Environment and Parks and Fish and Wildlife to host a safety workshop at the Priddis Community Hall Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. to educate area residents.
“(Residents) really wanted to have an opportunity to discuss the issue and hear from some experts to learn about cougar behaviour and protective measures that are reliable,” said MD of Foothills Coun. Suzanne Oel.
Oel helped organize the workshop after being contacted by several Priddis residents who expressed concerns about recent cougar attacks in their area.
Fish and Wildlife officers received seven reports of suspected cougar incidents involving pets and livestock in the Priddis area since the beginning of September.
“It’s about removing attractants and why that’s important and having animals penned properly that are easy pickings for cougars and other wildlife,” Oel said. “I think this is something that needs to be prepared on an ongoing basis for new residents and people who have not had wildlife encounters.
“In areas where we have the acreage population we need to have an awareness. Ranch owners are more equipped for dealing with this. They may have shotguns because of having to deal with bigger, tougher situations.”
Fish and Wildlife pubic affairs officer Brendan Cox said it’s important that the lines of communication remain open.
“(Fish and Wildlife officers) can hold events like this to talk to the public and to help pass on information about cougars and things they can do to avoid conflicts,” he said. “It’s something that they can do when there is a need to engage the public and to hear concerns from the public and also to get information out and help alleviate those concerns.”
The most recent cougar-related report received by Fish and Wildlife officers in the area was that of a dead cougar and domestic cat found beneath a power pole north of Priddis on Oct. 18. Officers were also informed of a cougar and cat found dead near a power pole Sept. 28 east of Priddis.
Officers received a report on Oct. 9 about a missing dog near the Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club. A cougar was seen at the back step of the home, yet officers haven’t confirmed the cougar is responsible for the missing dog. On Sept. 4 officers were told a miniature horse was killed by a cougar west of the golf club.
The report came from rancher Steve Caldera, who suspects he lost two barn cats to cougars days before their three-year-old miniature stallion Peanut was killed just 10 yards from their house.
Two nights later, a cougar attacked one of his quarter horses, leaving a scratch on its chest and taking a chunk out of its right shoulder.
Cox said Fish and Wildlife officers trapped and destroyed a cougar that reportedly killed a goat east of the golf course on Sept. 2 to prevent the animal from continuing to rely on livestock and domestic pets as a food source.
Anyone who sees a cougar or an incident involving a cougar is encouraged to call 1-800-642-3800.
