First, a little bit of information about cougars:

• Cougars (also called mountain lions or panther) are Canadas largest cat.


• An adult male cougar weighs on average anywhere from 63 to 90 kg (140-200 lbs) and a female cougar, between 40 and 50 kg (90-120 lbs). The larger of the cougars are found in the interior, as well as Kootenays


• The cougars main supply is deer, but it will also feed on elk, rabbits, beaver, raccoons and sometimes livestock.


• Cougars are more active at dusk and dawn, but they will hunt at any time, during any season.


• During late spring and summer, one to two year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars are more susceptible to human contact.


• There has only been one fatal attack by a cougar in the past 100 years on Vancouver Island


• Even though the chance of encountering a couger is extremely unlikely, it is still good be to informed, and prepare.



What to do if you encounter a cougar:




If you do find yourself in front of one of these magnificent animals, make sure you:



• Stay calm, and try to stay clear headed at all times, irrational thinking can only come out for the worse.


• Make you there is always room for the cougar to escape, if he feels threatened and confined it will attack.


• Do not walk towards the cougar. Cougars normally avoid confrontation, but a cougar looking for food (which is not you, don't worry) may be more susceptible to attack.


• Pick up any children, they are easily scared by cougars and their movements may trigger an instinctive attack.


• Do whatever you can to make your self appear bigger, such as waving around objects like sticks, and stay upright at all times.


• Do not turn your back on a cougar, face it at all times.


• Try to walk backwards slowly, quick movements way trigger its instinctive nature to attack.

   and remember, if you a cougar acts agressively, throw objects laying around at it, and speak loudly, whatever you can do to show it that you are not prey. If a cougar does attack, you can always fight back, many people have survived a cougar attack by showing them who's boss.