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<\/p>\nO\u2019Grady, a Nanaimo Search and Rescue member, said the four cougars appeared to be together as one group, despite the other big cats being about 150 meters away on higher terrain. <\/p>\n
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He said the two close-by cougars profiled as young adults, who appeared to be intentionally situated directly beside the trail. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe backed away, we stayed as a group; we maintained eye contact until we couldn\u2019t see them,\u201d O\u2019Grady said. \u201cWe had headlamps on, so their eyes stood out pretty clearly.\u201d <\/p>\n
O\u2019Grady said the cougars beside the trail appeared unbothered by their presence, which he stated weren\u2019t displaying aggressive behaviour. <\/p>\n
The animals weren\u2019t growling, but stared intently at them, O\u2019Grady recounted. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs we backed away, they sort of stood up and walked toward us, but it looked like they were more trying to keep us in view than try to approach us.\u201d <\/p>\n
O\u2019Grady has frequently used the trails in the Westwood Lake and Mount Benson areas for the past 25 years and never seen a cougar. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe cats, they\u2019re beautiful, they really are spectacular animals, and to see them up close, you can appreciate how wild they are.\u201d <\/p>\n
While describing the cougar encounter as exhilarating, O\u2019Grady said the experience will likely sway him when he goes for his next backcountry run. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t run those trails a lot at night, and I\u2019m not so sure I would again. I don\u2019t think that would have been a great situation on your own.\u201d <\/p>\n
O\u2019Grady\u2019s summary of what occurred has spread on local social media channels, including a post on the public Facebook page: Nanaimo cougar and bear sightings. <\/p>\n
According to the B.C. government, Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of cougars in North America, with an estimated population of 600 to 800. These cougars prefer mountainous, forested areas and are most active at dusk and dawn. <\/p>\n
Vancouver Island\u2019s high cougar count is linked to the abundant deer population, the B.C. Government noted, which supplied the following safety advice. <\/p>\n
Cougar safety and encounter guidelines <\/p>\n
Do not run: This can trigger an attack. Back away slowly, while keeping the cougar in view.
\nMake yourself look large: Raise your arms, stand tall, and speak in a loud, firm voice.
\nPick up children: Pick them up immediately, without bending down.
\nIf attacked: Do not run. Fight back aggressively using anything you can as a weapon, focusing on the face and eyes.
\nPrevent encounters: Avoid hiking alone, keep pets on a leash, and make noise to avoid surprising a cougar.
\nNever approach a cougar kitten: A mother will aggressively defend her young. <\/p>\n
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