Skip to content

Traps ready in east Maple Ridge to catch cougar

Conservation officers confident cat will return to location where it killed a goat
13045824_web1_180717-MRN-M-cougar2
Conservation officers have set out traps to catch a cougar that attacked a goat in east Maple Ridge. (THE NEWS/files)

It’s not looking good for the cougar that attacked a pregnant goat on Monday evening in east Maple Ridge.

Conservation officers visited the property near 288th Street and Dewdney Trunk Road that evening and the next morning and found the carcass and have left it on site in order to entice the cougar back to the location.

They’ve also set several traps in order to catch the animal when it does come back, after which it likely will be shot.

“We’re attempting to trap the offending animal,” said conservation officer Todd Hunter. “Given the totality of the circumstances, it likely will return and we’re confident in our trapping ability.”

He expects the animal to show up at sunset or at dawn and noted that two months ago, conservation officers had to kill another cougar at a nearby farm that had also killed a goat.

“It takes a few hours in order to set traps.”

Property owners then will call the officers if they see the animal in a trap.

He suggested some basic measures that will keep farm animals safe. Keep them indoors in a secure building at night time; and during the day, ensure they’re in a secure paddock or pasture, surrounded by a properly installed electric fence.

“Those two things will help you preventing property loss. If it’s done correctly, it’s highly likely it will deter predators.”

If the animals are pastured during the day, a good herding dog such as a great Pyrenee will also help. Ideally, all prevention measures should be taken before conservation removes a cougar, he added.

The current hot weather makes it difficult for cougars to catch prey because they’re not moving around as much. Several sightings have been made of the animals in recent weeks in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, most recently last week when a cougar was seen in Cottonwood Park in west Pitt Meadows.

“Cougars are going to be really stressed right now during this hot, dry period. People who own livestock should be extra vigilant in making sure their animals aren’t left to stray on the property,” he said.

He said llamas are not recommended to guard other animals.

Hunter added that cougars on the West Coast, which can top out at about 70 kilograms, won’t take down a horse. But in the Interior they can get up to 90 kg thanks to the big animals, such as elk, on which they feed.

“They have jaws and claws and they’re after fresh meat and if you leave it out, they’ll kill it.”

• Hunter recommended that people who come into conflict with animals, just call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.