Paul Beilstein was walking with his two weimaraner dogs, Kaiser and Jager, on a loop trail on Little Mount Douglas a week ago when he heard leaves and underbrush rustling off the trail.
Moments later Beilstein and his dogs met the cougar face to face on a bend in the trail. The juvenile cougar climbed an arbutus tree just a few metres away.
Beilstein leashed the dogs and everyone just watched each other.
With his two “well-behaved weimaraners in one hand, and iPhone in the other,” Beilstein was able to take a photo of the cougar.
“It was a pretty amazing moment,” said Beilstein. “The dogs were great. They came back the minute I called them.”
Beilstein said several people were on the trail at the time and the cougar’s position on the sloping arbutus tree placed it right above the trail. Everyone left the area shortly after and the cougar was gone when Beilstein returned several minutes later.
Saanich police and the Conservation Officer Service went to the scene, but the cougar hasn’t been located.
Beilstein’s was one of about four cougar sightings reported over six days, according to Saanich police, including two near the park in the 4400 block of Cedar Hill Road and the 4100 Block of Glendenning Road on July 10 and 11.
A homeowner in the area filmed a cougar ambling slowly across his front yard.
Another big cat was reported nearby on Lochside Trail at McBriar Park on Saturday.
Saanich police also took a report on Saturday morning of a mother cougar and two cubs in Colquitz Park near Tillicum Mall.
It isn’t known if the Mount Douglas- area cougar reports involve the same animal.
Const. Markus Anastasiades said there are no reports of the cougars being aggressive, but police are asking people to be aware of their surroundings and their pets.
Anyone who sees a cougar is asked to report it to Saanich police and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
To stay safe, the Conservation Officer Service advises making yourself as large as possible by raising your arms and keeping the cougar in front of you at all times.
Never run or turn your back on a cougar, as sudden movements might provoke an attack, the service said.
If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively, maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noises. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons, the service said.
If a cougar attacks, fight back and convince the cougar you’re a threat and use anything you can.
Inform others on trails and in neighbourhoods of the cougar’s presence, it said.
