Officers from Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are monitoring the situation in Diamond Valley after multiple cougar sightings were reported on community Facebook pages and numerous inquiries from the public were received by the provincial agency.
In a statement to the Western Wheel, a spokesperson said it had received one second-hand, unconfirmed report of a sighting on Dec. 29, when a resident reported that a neighbour saw the animal in their backyard the day earlier, but nothing was reported to indicate any other unusual behaviour.
Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 2, Alberta Fish and Wildlife said no first-hand sightings have been reported, and there are no indications of cougar-related incidents other than second-hand reports.
Cougars are elusive and not usually found in heavily populated areas, and true sightings are rare, the spokesperson stated.
Following cougar sightings in the area, the Town of Diamond Valley is asking residents to travel in groups, keep pets on a leash and make noise when outdoors.
The Town posted a 'Wildlife Warning' on social media on Jan. 2, after cougar sightings were reported at multiple locations throughout the town, including in the river valley, the Town said.
The cougar has sparked interest on social media and appears to have been in the area for several days, according to social media posts.
One post reported that a cougar had been observed around a deer carcass near Highway 22, between the Turner Valley and Black Diamond communities.
Diamond Valley officials visited the reported location and did not find the deer carcass, but found what they believe was evidence of it, Alberta Fish and Wildlife said.
The organization recommends carrying some form of protection, such as bear spray, and said if you see a cougar in the distance, do not run or turn your back.
"If the cougar appears to be unaware of your presence, gather children and pets in close, slowly and cautiously back away and leave the area."
If encountering a cougar, the Town advises backing away slowly and maintaining eye contact with the animal while waving your arms to appear larger.
To minimize the chances of attracting wildlife, residents can ensure that trash bins are securely closed and that pet food isn’t left outside.
Cougar sightings in a residential area can be reported to 1-800-642-3800.
For more information about preventing conflict with wildlife, visit alberta.ca/cougars.
