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Cougar seen in Courtenay’s urban jungle

After a wild night exploring the urban jungle of Courtenay’s city streets Thursday, an orphaned cougar cub finished its city tour with a flight to Vancouver.
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A lone cougar cub caught after spending a wild night in Courtenay is being sent to the Greater Vancouver Zoo. PHOTO BY CTV VANCOUVER ISLAND

After a wild night exploring the urban jungle of Courtenay’s city streets Thursday, an orphaned cougar cub finished its city tour with a flight to Vancouver.

The cougar was seen throughout the area last week, and even tried to enter a BC Liquor Store on Cliffe Avenue early Thursday evening, running into the glass doors, before passing by the Subway Restaurant, then dashing across the street.

Conservation officers received reports of the cougar being spotted around town, and eventually tracked the animal down. They determined it was not older than four months.

The cub eventually made its way down to the Courtenay River, where it was tranquilized and captured by officers.

“It was seen without its mother or any siblings. It just kind of showed up and started getting into trouble here and there,” conservation officer James Hilgemann told CTV Vancouver Island. “Having a young animal like this alone without its mother is uncommon, especially with cougars in urban areas.”

The cub was transferred via air from Nanaimo to the Greater Vancouver Zoo Friday on the advice of a wildlife veterinarian.

The cougar is now likely habituated to humans; the hope is that it will acclimate to the zoo.

A spokesperson from the zoo told CTV that release may not be an option, and if they do take the animal in, they would hopefully get it to the point where it would be on exhibit in their facility.

The zoo won’t make any decisions until they can guarantee the cub’s survival.



Erin Haluschak

About the Author: Erin Haluschak

Erin Haluschak is a journalist with the Comox Valley Record since 2008. She is also the editor of Trio Magazine...
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