Bowen residents and visitors are being advised to exercise caution following the arrival of a cougar on the island.
After several days of reported sightings of the big cat, its presence was confirmed in a surveillance video taken during the early hours of Tuesday, July 23. The video was recorded at Cape Roger Curtis, with sightings also coming in from other westside and mid-Island locations.
Cougars are rare on Bowen, meaning residents may be unprepared to deal with them or visitors may not expect the animal to be here. The municipality released an advisory via the Alertable app on Thursday morning asking people to take precautions to keep themselves, family members and pets safe, and to attempt to make yards less attractive to wildlife.
Caution is advised when heading out on wooded trails, and it is recommended to travel in groups. Parents should talk to their children about what to do if they see a cougar, and try to avoid having your child play alone outside. Pets should be on leashes while out walking and in a fenced area at home, while also coming inside at night.
Many more tips for staying safe when living with cougars can be found in the 'Staying Safe Around Wildlife - Cougars' section of the provincial government website.
If an incident with the cougar takes place, people are asked to inform the Conservation Officer Service by calling 1-877-952-7277.
