Authorities are warning the public to be alert after a cougar was recently spotted in West Vancouver.
The Conservation Officer Service received reports of three sightings - likely all of the same cougar - in Gleneagles and Horseshoe Bay in June.
In one instance, the cougar was seen near a backyard in the middle of the day.
"It's often a sign of a juvenile cougar that hasn't learned his lesson yet that humans are not friendly to them," said conservation officer Simon Gravel.
The young cougar is likely searching for food or its own territory after getting pushed out of its habitat by bigger cats, said Gravel.
The cougar hasn't exhibited any signs of aggression but conservation officers advise keeping small children out of areas where cougars have been spotted, particularly during dawn and dusk, which are prime hunting times.
Children's high-pitched voices and small size seem to attract cougars, according to the Conservation Officer Service.
If confronted by a cougar, maintaining eye contact and slowly retreating while looking as large as possible is the safest course of action. Running can trigger a cougar's chase instinct.
"If he's approaching you or attacking you for some reason then with a cougar we always say fight back. .. and you'll win," Gravel said.
Small dogs and cats can also attract a cougar to the backyard, said Gravel.
