Problem Cougar Killed Near Merritt

Problem cougar shot dead near the Upper Nicola Band reserve.

Conservation Officer Paul Pike says the cougar shot Wednesday is believed to be the same one that has initiated multiple warnings from the Merritt area band in the last week.

“We had received a few reports around the Quilchena area and went out an investigated them over the last week. The, we just got a report yesterday (Wednesday) that a resident in that area had shot and killed a cougar. It was off the reserve, but in the same area.”

Because the cougar demonstrated it was a threat to both humans and livestock, Pike says the resident that killed the animal will not face charges.

Should you encounter a cougar, he says the best defense is not to show fear and make yourself as big as possible.