Parksville woman surprised to learn a cougar was under her trailer
Published 5:35 am Thursday, March 19, 2026
Lorelei Scott got an unsual notification on her phone Sunday evening — letting her know a cougar was hanging out under her trailer at the Park Sands Beach Resort in Parksville.
She had heard a “ruckus” directly underneath where she was sitting and since she figured it was racoons, did not bother to go check it out.
The notification came from the owners of the campground who happened to drive by Scott’s unit as they entered the park that evening,
“I normally see all kinds of things that are going on, but when it’s cool out, I’m not usually outside, which I’m really glad I wasn’t outside that night,” Scott said. “My neighbour, who is directly to my left, who has lived on the Island all her life, I see her outside with her cellphone and her flashlight. And she’s out trying to see where this cougar is, which I thought she was absolutely crazy.”
Scott, who has lived in the park for four years, is from northern Alberta and is familiar with wildlife like deer, elk moose and even bears, but a cougar was a first for her. Not wishing to risk a close encounter with the large feline, she stayed inside her trailer for the rest of the night.
Wildlife such as deer move through the park from time to time, she said, even a bear once — and the area is “overrun” with rabbits.
“The the park is quiet this time of year. There’s not that many people down here, hardly any noise,” Scott said. “I think that probably was a drawing for her. It was night-time. Had the park been full and kids out riding bikes and all of that, wildlife doesn’t seem to come around during those times.”
The Conservation Officer Service confirmed it received a report of the cougar. Because the report was made the next day, no action was taken at the time and no further reports came in.
“No aggressive behaviour noted,” the COS told the PQB News. “The COS will continue to monitor reports of animal activity and behaviour in the area, and respond as appropriate.”
The public is encouraged to report sightings and interactions to the RAPP line to allow officers to have the best picture possible of wildlife activity.
The next morning, when she came out of her trailer, Scott made lots of noise just in case the cougar was still around, but it had left some time during the night.
She is used to being around wildlife, generally loves taking photos of animals and is not worried about future encounters in the park.
Scott said she would like the public to know that although the cougar might be just as scared of you as you are of it, it’s not worth it to go outside and take a photo.
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