Cougars in Canada
Cougar class in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
How educating the public on wildlife
can be a subject of life or death
By Mitchell Gray
Getting ready to enjoy Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve involves more than tightening the hiking boots, stocking
up on trail mix and reading about the amazing sights. Being prepared to visit the park also
means learning about its natural dangers — cougars. This elusive, top-of-the-food-chain
predator is slowly becoming more of a threat to humans in the park, which makes understanding
these animals more important than ever.
Taking chances
Cougars are elusive animals that are rarely seen in the wild and the chances of being
attacked by one are slim. In the last century there have been 27 documented cougar
attacks in Canada. Since this wildcat is native to western Canada, the attacks
generally occur in Alberta and British Columbia. Although cougar attacks do occur,
they are extremely rare-especially when compared to other more common causes of
injury.
According to Environment Canada, an average of 16 tornados hit Alberta each year,
causing damage to both people and property, where as, on average, 14 people are mauled
by cougars in the same time span across all of Canada and the Western U.S.
From 1987 to 2003, a total of 131 people were killed from avalanches in British Columbia.
In that same duration, wild animals were the cause of death for 27 people. Bear and
wasp fatalities made up a total of 24, while deaths by a cougar only totalled three.
British Columbia saw 1, 266 forest fires in 2001, but there were no documented cougar
attacks during that year.
The chances of getting caught in a tornado, experiencing an avalanche or forest fire,
or being attacked by a bee are far greater than being attacked by or even spotting
a cougar. —L.F. |
"We know cougars do view people as prey," says Bob Hansen, Pacific Rim National Park
Reserve wildlife-human conflict specialist. "There is a history of cougars attacking and
consuming people. It’s a small but ever-present risk, and it happens more on Vancouver
Island than any other place in North America." In 2001 and 2002 alone, there were three
attacks on humans on Vancouver Island.
The park, on the west coast of the island, is comprised of the Long Beach (near Tofino),
Broken Group Islands and West Coast Trail units, all of which are strong attractions to nature
enthusiasts, and all of which are nestled in the heart of cougar territory. Though still
rare, cougar attacks are becoming more frequent. Part of the problem is animals in the park
are becoming more accustomed to human activity. "We saw it quite a bit the last two
summers on the West Coast Trail with cougars," says Hansen. Interactions with people
have gradually changed some cougars’ behavioural patterns, making them less likely
to flee at first sight. This makes them more dangerous.
Cougars that pose a threat to humans may eventually be destroyed, so raising awareness
about how to minimize the threat from predators while enjoying Pacific Rim National Park
Reserve can help keep both humans and cougars alive. "We’ve embarked on an aggressive
education campaign," says Hansen. Visitors are given predator fact sheets and "You
are in Cougar Country" safety handouts as part of the park’s Living with Wildlife
program. The safety education also includes a personal touch. "Information counter staff
on the West Coast Trail give each hiker a verbal orientation at the trailhead before they
begin," says Hansen. There is also a computer presentation available, and last year
the park posted the first cougar alert on its website. People are also strongly encouraged
to give detailed reports of any sighting of, or encounter with, a cougar.
Educating people about staying safe in untamed regions has the added benefit of helping
ensure people will continue to visit wilderness areas, and this is a good sign for the future
of Canada’s parks and the animals that live there. "The more you experience nature,
the more you understand the need for conservation," says Eva Riccius, ecosystems specialist
for the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. "To someone
not connected with nature, conservation issues can be abstract," she says, "but
if you spend time in nature, you have a personal relationship with these issues."
But what of the campers? Are outdoors buffs avoiding locations where cougars have been
spotted? Backcountry enthusiast Randal Clark, who has explored Pacific Rim National Park
Reserve extensively over the years, says he has yet to encounter a cougar, but he understands
the importance of education to keep people safe. "It’s always a thrill to see
an animal," he says, "as long as you know how to make sure they don’t make
you part of their food chain."
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