A woman and her dog were attacked by a cougar in a provincial park on Vancouver Island, according to officials.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, located about 35 kilometers west of Victoria.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service, the woman was walking her dog on a trail when the cougar suddenly appeared and attacked the dog. The woman tried to intervene and was also attacked by the cougar.
Fortunately, the woman was able to fight off the cougar and both she and her dog were able to escape with minor injuries.
Conservation officers were immediately notified of the incident and conducted a search of the area. However, the cougar was not found.
The park has since been closed and signs have been posted warning visitors of the cougar attack. Conservation officers are continuing to monitor the area and are urging visitors to be cautious and aware of their surroundings.
This is not the first time a cougar attack has occurred in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. In 2019, a woman was attacked by a cougar while hiking in the park. She sustained serious injuries but was able to survive the attack.
The BC Conservation Officer Service is reminding the public to always be aware of the potential for wildlife encounters while in provincial parks and to take precautions such as traveling in groups, making noise, and keeping pets on a leash.
Anyone who encounters a cougar is advised to stay calm, make themselves look as large as possible, and slowly back away while facing the animal. If a cougar does attack, people are advised to fight back with any available objects and to never play dead.
The investigation into this recent cougar attack is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the BC Conservation Officer Service.
