A dead cougar discovered 500 metres away from a busy Canmore neighbourhood is a reminder the big cats are active in the valley at this time of year and trail users must stay alert, according to district conservation officer Glenn Naylor.
The young cougar was discovered by a hiker on Friday (Dec. 19) on an informal trail 540 metres east of the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood, near the unfinished Three Sister Golf Course.
Naylor estimates the cougar had been killed a week before, likely by another, larger cougar. The body was so severely scavenged wildlife officials could not determine the sex of the animal. Although wolves were initially suspected in the death, Naylor said the nature of the kill points to a cougar.
“It’s a young cat, maybe two years old. It was small and mostly consumed,” Naylor said. “We are 98 per cent sure it was killed by another cougar. There was blood on the back of the head, which makes us think it was another larger cougar. We initially suspected wolves, but if that was the case, it would have been ripped to shreds.”
Cougar sightings are rare, but the cats are active throughout winter on both sides of the valley. Finding a dead cougar is extremely rare, Naylor said, but large cougars killing young cougars is definitely not.
“Adult males will kill young cubs and cats because they can force the female to breed again. That’s definitely not uncommon,” Naylor said.
Last year, a female cougar with four cubs was caught on a wildlife camera near Canmore, with a large male cougar in hot pursuit. The same pack was caught again on camera, minus one cub.
“It’s amazing to have a unit like that and have no sightings reported at all. During that time, they’re staying in the valley all winter long. It shows how well they can stay hidden,” Naylor said.
He wants to remind trail users to keep their dogs on leash, as there have been numerous cougar attacks on dogs throughout the years. Cougars follow their prey to valley bottoms during the winter months, which brings them closer to Canmore town limits. In December 2013, Canmore Fish and Wildlife officers killed two cougars near the Silvertip golf course following an off-leash dog encounter. Another cougar killed a miniature horse at Rafter Six Ranch in December 2013.
“If you’re walking with your dog and you’re letting him free, you’re definitely taking a chance. Cougars are opportunistic feeders and dogs are very easy prey,” Naylor said.
Trail users should carry bear spray and a sturdy stick while in cougar country, and avoid using ear buds or other technology that lessens one’s awareness of the surrounding area.
“It’s good not to wear ear buds or ear phones, and look behind you once in a while on the trail. They will ambush from the side or back,” Naylor said.
Cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare, however, every year, cougars attack dogs in the valley.
Report cougar sightings to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
