Three cougar, three bear sightings in past week

Oct 19, 2022 | 1:14 PM

Greater Vernon has seen a number of wildlife sightings in urban areas the past week, with three cougars and three bears being reported.

The Wildlife Alert Reporting Program states the first alleged cougar sighting was Saturday (Oct. 15) near Mission Hill Elementary.

That was followed by two more cougar reports on Sunday (Oct. 16): one at 9 a.m. on 15th Street in Vernon, north of Hillview Golf Course and Vernon Health Services, and the second at 10:12 p.m. Sunday on Mt. Beaver Place in Coldstream’s Middleton Mountain area, east of Sawicki Millenium Park.

There were also three black bear sightings reported in Greater Vernon to the WARP website in the past week.

The first was at 2:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The bear was allegedly spotted on Sunset Blvd., south of Paddlewheel Park and Paradise Ranch.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

9h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

The second was a black bear seen near Vernon City Hall at 11:47 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16.

The final bear sighting from the past week was reported on Monday, Oct. 17. The animal was seen off Kalamalka Road, east of the Coldstream Fire Hall.

All six reports list the encounter type as “other,” and do not specify the attractant or the outcome of the sightings.

WildSafe B.C. advises people who come in contact with a cougar make eye contact with the animal, make yourself look big, back away slowly (do not turn your back on the animal), and make loud noises.

People who come across a black bear are advised to speak softly (if the bear is not showing signs of aggression), and back away slowly while keeping an eye on the animal. WildSafe B.C. notes that people should not turn their back or run from black bears, even if they do not seem aggressive.

More information on encountering wildlife can be found at WildSafe B.C.’s website.

Anyone who encounters a wild animal is asked to report the sighting to B.C. Conservation officer Services at 1-877-952-7277.

As of time of publication, the B.C. Conservation Officer Services had not responded to a request for comment to verify these sightings.

by Liam Verster

View Comments