Multiple cougar sightings in Kelowna area: Conservation Officer Service

Conservation officers in Okanagan have reported several cougar sightings in Kelowna over the past week. The officers confirmed that a deer was taken down by a cougar near a house on Cascia Drive on January 2, the remains of which they removed. The Conservation Officer Service (COS) made a public announcement on Saturday, stating that the behaviours exhibited by the cougar seen last week are consistent with its nature, posing minimal risk to the safety of the public.

The COS reported that, "Our office has received several reports of cougar sightings, mostly at night, along the lakefront in the Lower Mission and in the Bellevue Creek/Mill Creek region, over the past week". They added that, "The number of cougar sightings in Kelowna mirrors that of previous years and is reflective of the environment we inhabit."

The COS reminded the public that cougars are nocturnal creatures that feed on readily available food in their vicinity, which includes deer. They are urging the public to refrain from feeding deer and other potential prey, as it could attract cougars.

The COS emphasised that it is highly uncommon for cougars to attack humans. Additional information on cougars can be accessed online.