Sharing the Landscape with Cougars

Cougars once ranged across the look big, shout loudly and · Deer are prime prey for prairies but were displaced to throw something to distract cougars and they will follow more remote mountain regions as the animal. Back away to a deer that hang around or settlement advanced. Over the safe distance and maintain live in a yardsite. Try to make past two decades they have been eye contact. your yard as deer proof as expanding their range eastward possible. · If a cougar does make and are recolonizing much of contact, fight back, use any · Dense vegetation makes their former range. There are weapon that you can and great hiding places for recent confirmed reports from as don't give up. Never play cougars. Remove vegetation far east as Missouri and dead with a cougar. After that could be a hiding place, Tennessee. the animal has left, keep making your yard less In Saskatchewan, cougars are a watching for it until you friendly for cougars. natural part of the landscape, reach safety. · Enclose the base around especially in the Cypress Hills · Cougars may view children porches or decks and keep region. These animals are a sign of as prey targets due to their out-buildings closed – healthy ecosystems and sightings small size and quick cougars will make use of often go unreported. movements. In the event of a such spaces to den or cache While your chances of seeing a cougar encounter, pick up food. cougar are slim, people need to your children immediately. · Outdoor lighting and be aware of their existence. Living in cougar country motion-sensitive lighting is a Although attacks on humans are deterrent. Lights also make If you live in cougar country, here rare, you need to practice caution approaching cougars more are a few guidelines to follow: and safety when outdoors in visible. cougar country. · Do not feed wildlife. Feeding · Keep a close eye on your wildlife can attract animals Remember that we share the children when they are that may be prey for cougars, landscape with these animals. playing outside. Bring thus attracting cougars to These predators have a right to children in before dusk when your yard. coexist on the landscape when cougars begin to hunt. Teach they are minding their own · Avoid feeding pets outside. them what to do if they business. Pet food can attract cougars encounter a cougar. If you encounter a cougar to your yard. When possible, keep pets indoors at night, · Make sure it knows you are as pets make easy prey for not potential prey – do not cougars. run. Stand up, make yourself saskatchewan.ca/environment Cougars and livestock to Saskatchewan Crop · Cougars will generally give Insurance Corporation at birth to two or three kittens. · There have been few 1-888-935-0000. confirmed cases of livestock · During late spring and killed by cougars in Cougar facts summer, one to two-year old Saskatchewan. However, cougars become independent · Cougars are the most evasive of their mothers. While landowners have the right in and secretive of all wildlife attempting to find a home Saskatchewan to kill any species in Saskatchewan and range, these young cougars predator, including cougars, generally travel in low light may roam widely in search of on their own land if they feel conditions to move or stalk unoccupied territory. This is that such an animal is posing their prey. a threat to their family, when cougars are most likely property or livestock. · Cougars are the largest feline to conflict with humans. of three native cat species to · Landowners may also Saskatchewan, the others designate this authority to an being bobcat and lynx. immediate family member, If you see a cougar, or if you · The cougar's primary prey is employee or to a licensed have an aggressive encounter trapper. deer. However, they are known to prey on livestock with a cougar on your · If a cougar is taken under this and pets. It will also feed on property, contact your local authority, the local elk, rabbits, beaver, Ministry of Environment office conservation officer must be porcupines, raccoons and or call the TIP line, 24-hours a notified and will determine grouse. day, at 1-800-667-7561 or how best to dispose of the from your SaskTel cell Phone carcass. · Cougars have large home ranges and males can travel at #5555. · Assistance may also be over 50 kilometres in one day. available from predator control specialists on contract