WildSafeBC warns of increased cougar activity in the Okanagan

Feb 14, 2025 | 3:05 PM

WildSafeBC has warned that this time of year sees increased cougar activity.

Vernon Matters received a report from a member of the public stating one of the big cats came through their yard, and a representative with WildSafeBC said that was typical for this time of year as the cougars are in search of food.

“Cougars this time of year are typically going out farther to look for food,” Karly McMullen, the Communications Specialist at WildSafeBC, told Vernon Matters.

“We know cougars prey on deer, and they’ll be following deer patterns throughout the areas that they live in. In winter, often they’ll have a bit of a harder time finding prey, getting prey, so they’ll go to farther lengths to get some food, which often results in more sighting.”

To help reduce the risk of coming face to face with a cougar in urban areas, McMullen recommended people take steps to not draw in the prey to their property.

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“One of the big things we talk about at WildSafeBC is reducing that human and wildlife interaction, keeping wildlife as wild as possible,” McMullen said.

“We definitely stress not feeding deer, not making them acclimatized to being around humans and not as skittish. It’s good to maintain that distance because maintaining distance with deer will also help us maintain distance with predators like cougars.”

She also recommended people keep their pets indoors, especially at night, as small pets are another possible prey for cougars; not feeding pets outside; installing electric fences around livestock pens or chicken coops; and making sure there are no other attractants on their property.

McMullen noted bobcat and coyote activity also increases this time of year, and said taking the aforementioned steps would also help reduce risks of encountering those animals.

The WildSafeBC representative added people exploring wild areas should take steps to reduce coming in contact with a cougar by making noise on trails, keeping pets on leash, and not feeding or attracting deer or other prey.

Anyone who does come in contact with a cougar should stay calm, make themselves look big, maintain eye contact, back away slowly, and not turn their back on the animal.

Anyone who does see a big cat or other predator should report the sighting to the B.C. Conservation Officer’s Service’s Report All Poachers and Polluter’s hotline at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).

by Liam Verster

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