Does Australia really deserve its reputation overseas for being such a dangerous place to travel and camp?
Sure, we’ve got crocodiles, killer snakes and hugely venomous spiders, but there are definitely worse things around. For example, bear attacks are on the increase in North America, as are those by the cunning cougar. Indeed, two of the ‘mountain lions’ have just been shot and killed on Canada’s Vancouver Island after being spotted near areas where people were camping or swimming.
The killings come shortly after another cougar, which has not yet been found, attacked an 18-month-old boy at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, east of Vancouver. The cat pounced on the child and sank its teeth into his skull before the boy’s grandfather drove it away. The boy is recovering from his injuries.
“People are definitely more aware and people are a little worried about cougars right now,” said British Columbia conservation officer, Peter Pauwels. “More so than they normally would be.”
He said one of the cougars that was shot recently had been dangerously close to campsites for three days.
“There were lot of little kids there and it’s summer and a long weekend, the campground was completely full,” Mr Pauwels said. “It was a dangerous situation.”
The cougar was apparently not scared off when people threw rocks at it.
Signs have now been put up warning people of the cougar and campers are very concerned, given the recent attack at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Cougar sightings have increased on Vancouver Island this year, possibly because higher snow levels last winter allowed cougars easier access to deer and elk, increasing their survival.
The B.C. Ministry of Environment’s tips for cougar safety include never approach a cougar, always give a cougar an avenue of escape, stay calm and speak to the cat in a confident voice.
Gulp!
