UPDATE: Cougar caught in Vernon’s East Hill, euthanized

Apr 12, 2022 | 4:00 PM

UPDATE: 4:00 p.m. Apr. 12

A cougar that was causing safety concerns in Vernon’s East Hill has been caught and euthanized.

The young animal was said to have killed a cat, and had been in some residential yards on 23rd and 24th Avenues on Monday.

The presence of the big cat in the area lead to a brief ‘hold and secure’ order for students and staff at nearby Vernon Secondary School.

A live trap was set Monday which caught the animal that night.

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In a statement, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the cougar was habituated to humans, and that limited the options.

“Animals that pose a threat to public safety are not candidates for relocation,” the service said.

Cougar in Vernon’s East Hill kills cat
Apr 11, 2022 | 12:00 PM

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says residents in Vernon’s East Hill area should take precautions with their small pets and supervise small children after a cougar sighting this morning (Apr. 11).

Officer Tanner Beck said the cougar looked to be a juvenile, about 16-18 months old, who was likely recently dispersed from his family.

“At a certain point, their mother will kick them out and they will have to find out how to be a cougar on their own,” Beck told Vernon Matters.

He said a live trap has been set in a residential yard west of Vernon Secondary School.

“As soon as I went to the address, it took off. I’m not sure where it’s gone, but if it returns to that address, there is a live trap set.”

Officer Beck said the big cat showed no aggressive behaviour towards humans, but it did kill a free-ranging house cat in that same area where the trap has been set.

He said it was the first sighting a cougar this year in that specific area.

“But we do get fairly frequent sightings in the East Hill, up into BX Ranchlands, that side of Vernon, close to the bush.”

With the cougar still possibly in the area, Beck has this safety advice.

“Small kids: just supervise them like you would usually if they’re out playing, and small pets, same thing. And do not allow house cats — it’s not a good practice in general — to roam free.”

Vernon Secondary School was put on a ‘hold and secure’ where everyone had to stay inside this morning as a result of a cougar in the area.

Beck added if the cougar is captured, it will be assessed by their biologist and a decision on its fate will be determined from that.

Cougar in Vernon’s East Hill
Apr 11, 2022 | 10:15 AM

Residents of Vernon’s East Hill neighbourhood should be on alert after reports of a cougar around homes in the 23rd and 24th Avenue areas near Vernon Secondary School this morning.

A picture of the big cat on a resident’s deck has been posted on Facebook.

Vernon Matters has contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service for more details, with reports officers are trying to trap the cougar.

by Pete McIntyre

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