March 8, 2025 – BC Conservation Officers have destroyed a cougar believed to be responsible for recent livestock killings in the Eastern outskirts of Vernon.
The incident follows a series of backyard and trail cougar sightings in the L&A Road and Gray Canal Trail area as well as Pottery Road and reports on social media that include Coldstream.
Although the risk to humans remains low, encounters can be dangerous. A notable case occurred a year and a half ago when two women were forced into Kalamalka Lake to escape an aggressive cougar.
Once in the water, one of the women called her family for help. Before their rescuers arrived, a cyclist joined the women, and together, the three managed to scare the cougar away.
Read and watch a VIDEO about that incident here: Cougar Encounter on Rail Trail.
Data from the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) highlights the frequency of cougar encounters in the province.
In January 2025 alone, the last complete month of reporting, COS received 127 reports of human-wildlife conflicts involving cougars.
Officers attended 16 of these cases, resulting in five cougars being destroyed three by COS officers and two by other entities.
These numbers do not include this latest incident in Vernon.
If you encounter a cougar, follow these safety guidelines:
Stay calm and keep the cougar in view.
Pick up children immediately, as their movements may provoke an attack.
Back away slowly, ensuring the animal has a clear escape route.
Make yourself appear as large as possible and maintain eye contact.
Never run or turn your back on the cougar; sudden movements may trigger an attack.
If the cougar follows or shows interest, respond aggressively—show your teeth, make loud noises, and use rocks or sticks to appear threatening.
If attacked, fight back. Aim for the cougar’s face and eyes using any available object, such as rocks, sticks, or bear spray.
Residents are urged to report cougar encounters, especially if the animal poses an immediate threat to public safety.
Contact the BC Conservation Officer Service Call Centre at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) to report sightings or conflicts.
Cougar Destroyed After Livestock Attacks in Vernon
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