An 18-year-old Comox Valley teen is a bit battered and bruised after having a close encounter with a cougar Sunday evening.
According to the boy’s mother, Mandy Poje, her son had parked at the marina and then walked down the beach towards the end of Manor Drive at around 9:30, something he often does.
After going for a swim, she said he could hear rustling in the bushes and a sound like a baby screaming around six metres into the brush. She added when he turned around to gather his things, a cougar had jumped out onto the beach and started to follow and swat at him.
Poje says the boy ran up the beach, tripping and falling and hurting his arm before getting to a person’s house for help. She adds he also phoned 911 and the Conservation Officer Service to report the incident.
The COS confirmed they received a report of an encounter with a cougar near the Comox Marina. Nothing in the report indicated there was any contact between the cougar and the boy and they are still investigating the situation.
They add the encounter is not surprising given the wildlife in the area.
“Comox has a very healthy deer population and ultimately, where there are deer there’s likely to be cougars,” said COS in a statement.
“The public is asked to familiarize themselves with safety tips to help prevent wildlife encounters, including travelling in groups, carrying bear spray and leashing pets.”
More information about wildlife safety can be found on the WildSafeBC website.
