Article content material
A Calgary-area mom who got here face-to-face with an aggressive cougar exterior her house this week says she’s doing what she will to guard her kids from the cat that Fish and Wildlife officers consider is now not within the space.
The cougar has not been seen since Tuesday night, when it returned to Jessica Low’s residence on the outskirts of southwest Calgary the place it had killed the household’s cat earlier that day. The incident involved Fish and Wildlife officers as a result of cougar’s uncommon behaviour — approaching buildings throughout sunlight hours.
Article content material
On Wednesday, a houndsman employed by the province to trace the cat with the help of searching canine was unable to find the animal, a spokesperson for Alberta Fish and Wildlife stated Thursday.
“Primarily based on the search outcomes, it’s believed that the cougar has moved on from the speedy space the place the incident occurred,” Sheena Campbell, communications director for the Ministry of Public Security and Emergency Companies, stated in an e-mail.
“Our officers stay vigilant and are actively monitoring the scenario to make sure the continued security of residents.”
It’s unclear if efforts to trace the animal are persevering with. Fish and Wildlife stated Thursday that traps are usually not being thought-about in response to Tuesday’s encounters.
Low stated phrase from officers that the cat is now not close to her house has eased her thoughts “a bit of,” however that she received’t really feel snug letting her youngsters play exterior anytime quickly.
“We can be holding a watch out for it coming again,” she stated.
“(We) are conscious of the place we stay and that wild animals might be close by, however the time of day that it was in our yard has thrown me a bit,” she added.
Article content material
Whereas Low already adheres to security precautions dwelling in an space with numerous wildlife, Tuesday’s incidents led to the set up of movement cameras on her property.
In Alberta, non-public landowners are usually not allowed to entice cougars on their very own property, however they will kill them, in accordance with provincial searching laws.
Low says she is conscious of the laws however fears for the protection of her kids ought to the cat return.
“I’m not one to need to damage wild animals in any respect,” Low stated. “However (I) am at a little bit of a loss on learn how to react to a wild animal appearing aggressively at my home in the midst of the day.”
Low’s youngest daughter noticed the cougar exterior a patio window early Tuesday afternoon, together with the physique of one of many household’s two barn cats. The cougar returned to the identical window that night time, sparking Low’s concern the cat is after her youngster.
“I’ve been informed they will make their approach again from over 100 kilometres away if they need one thing,” she stated.
“If (the cougar) retains coming again, that may make it clear to me that it’s after my daughter.”
Share this text in your social community