The young male cougar euthanized in Airdrie on Sept. 10 was healthy, according to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services.
Airdrie RCMP says the animal did not approach, chase or threaten anyone.
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Provincial wildlife officials say the concern was instead the cougar’s apparent loss of its normal wariness around people.
Fish and Wildlife said officers received multiple reports of the cougar moving through residential areas during daylight hours while showing little apparent concern for nearby people, vehicles or other activity.
Airdrie RCMP said the first of several calls about the cougar came at approximately 6 a.m.
Police said they worked with Fish and Wildlife on all sightings.
In an earlier written statement, Fish and Wildlife said officers had received two other confirmed reports believed to involve the same cougar near Bayside Drive earlier that morning.
The animal was later located at Luxstone Green SW.
Fish and Wildlife said officers found it in a thick bush in a residential backyard, where its behaviour was consistent with the earlier observations.
“The cougar was a healthy young male with no signs of illness, injury, malnutrition or dental issues that would otherwise explain its behaviour,” a spokesperson for Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services said in a written response to DiscoverAirdrie.
“Cougars are naturally solitary animals that generally avoid people and areas of sustained human activity, making its prolonged presence in a densely developed urban area particularly unusual.”
Alberta’s public guidance says cougars are active at all times of day, but if they enter open habitats and areas near people, they typically do so when it is dark.
The province also says true cougar sightings are relatively low in number because the animals are elusive and generally are not found within heavily populated areas.
Fish and Wildlife said the Airdrie cougar’s age, condition, location and behaviour were considered when officers classified it.
“Based on its age, condition, location and behaviour, officers determined it had lost the normal wariness of people expected of a wild cougar and classified it as habituated.”
What Alberta’s Cougar Response Guide says
The Cougar Response Guide linked by Fish and Wildlife provides a specific definition for habituated cougars.
“A habituated cougar shows little or no perceived reaction to people,” the guide states. “This is an animal whose presence could be interpreted as, or lead to a public safety risk.”
The guide says three main factors are used to help determine an appropriate response to a human-cougar conflict or property damage: the animal’s age, sex and family status; its behaviour; and the location of the incident.
It says cougars that frequent developed areas or areas with high human use, including urban areas immediately adjacent to natural escape habitat, while searching for natural foods may be habituated.
The guide’s response chart lists euthanasia for captured habituated or food-conditioned cougars across all age classes.
Fish and Wildlife provided the same explanation for the decision involving the Airdrie cougar.
“Under Alberta’s Cougar Response Guide, habituated cougars that are captured are euthanized. Relocation is not considered an effective option, as it does not eliminate the risk of the animal returning or displaying the same behaviour elsewhere.”
Officers tranquilized and assessed the cougar before it was euthanized.
No necropsy is planned.
“Fish and wildlife officers respect Alberta’s wildlife and do not make decisions to euthanize an animal lightly,” the spokesperson said.
Fish and Wildlife said officers make decisions based on the circumstances of each incident, available evidence and established provincial guidance, with public safety as a primary consideration.
Guide calls for preventative action before capture
Alberta’s Cougar Response Guide also addresses measures that can be taken before an animal is captured.
“Preventative action is the first response in most situations where a cougar has not presented an immediate threat to humans,” the guide states.
Possible measures listed in the guide include assessing and monitoring a situation, closing an area to public access, removing attractants, restricting access and using deterrents or scaring devices.
The guide also says preventative actions should be used on cougars classified as habituated.
Fish and Wildlife did not specify in its written response which, if any, of those measures were used before the Airdrie cougar was captured.
The province had been asked what action officers took following the two confirmed reports near Bayside Drive earlier that morning.
The guide notes it is unlikely to anticipate every possible situation. When circumstances do not fall cleanly within the guide, it says staff will make decisions that most closely follow it.
RCMP reports no threats or injuries
Airdrie RCMP separately told DiscoverAirdrie the cougar did not approach, chase or threaten anyone.
No injuries were reported.
Police said members established a perimeter to contain the animal.
Residents were advised to remain inside, and RCMP said a media release was issued.
Fish and Wildlife said the cougar showed little apparent concern for people, vehicles or other activity while moving through residential areas.
The provincial guide defines a habituated cougar as one showing “little or no perceived reaction to people.”
No cougars tranquilized or euthanized in Airdrie in five years
Fish and Wildlife said its records indicate no cougars have been tranquilized or euthanized within Airdrie during the past five years.
That figure does not establish there were no cougar sightings or reports during that period. The province’s response was specifically limited to animals that had been tranquilized or euthanized.
Alberta advises anyone who sees a cougar in their backyard to bring people and pets inside, give the animal enough space to leave, notify neighbours and contact the nearest Fish and Wildlife office.
Residents are also advised not to feed wildlife, keep garbage in containers with tightly fitting lids and avoid creating conditions that could attract prey animals or provide shelter for cougars.
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