Tsleil-Waututh Nation members and Windsor Park residents are being asked to keep an eye out and exercise caution after several recent cougar sightings.
Band management first posted signs warning of the cougar last week. It has since been spotted as recently as early Wednesday morning near the park on Takaya Drive.
Conservation officers have confirmed the sightings but say, since the cougar isn't showing any odd or threatening behaviour, they won't be setting up traps or hunting the cat just yet.
"There are no previous reports alleging any threatening behaviour or anything like that..." said Sgt. Todd Hunter, conservation service spokesman. "Stuff that we would respond to and react to remove the cougar from the population. Nothing suggests that at this time. We're monitoring it closely. If something should happen and it provokes a response from us, we'll definitely ramp it up."
In the meantime, the conservation officer is advising residents to walk in groups and keep children and pets close by.
If you run into a cougar, make yourself look big by putting your hands above your head. Slowly back away and let the cougar know you know it's there, telling it to keep away. "Never turn your back and run from a cougar. It invokes that flightand-attack response from cougars. Their normal prey is deer and deer run, right?" Hunter said.
If you spot a cougar in a populated area, call the Ministry of Environment's hotline, Hunter said.
The number to call is 1-877-952-7277.
