A man reported last week that a cougar took a swipe at him while he was hiking at Elk Falls Provincial Park near Campbell River.
The man was on the Canyon View Trail on Aug. 15 when he encountered the cougar, but didn’t suffer any injuries.
“The cougar made light contact on the back of his leg, but didn’t break the skin or leave any scratches,” said a spokesman for the ministry of environment.
The big cat also had a run-in with a dog near the same location, and was spotted by several other hikers in the area.
The ministry said the cougar was treed, but had left the area by the time conservation officers and tracking hounds arrived. The cougar was not located.
The B.C. Conservation Officers Service closed the Canyon View Trail where the Quinsam and Campbell rivers meet for two days, reopening the popular four-kilometre loop trail on Friday. The conservation officers left trail cameras to monitor the area during the closure and have posted signs for trail users to be aware.
The area is busy in the summer with hikers there to see the falls and this month, anglers have been using the trails to reach the pink salmon run.
Cougars account for about 2,500 calls to the Conservation Officers Service reporting line every year, according to WildSafeBC.
The organization said though cougar attacks are rare, if you encounter a cougar, keep calm and never run. Make yourself look as large as possible and back away slowly, keeping the cougar in view and allowing a clear exit for the cougar.
WildSafeBC said if you are attacked, always fight back and never play dead. If travelling with small children, pick them up immediately. Children are most at risk in a cougar encounter.
To report cougars in conflict, sightings in urban areas or a cougar showing unusual or aggressive behaviour, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
