WITH REGARDS TO THESE POSTS ABOUT COUGAR SIGHTINGS AND BEARS IN SOOKE. Folks we live in THEIR territory. Apex predators typically wander their territory, just as we explore our surroundings. We coexist with transient populations of bears, cougars, deer, etc, all the time. We tend not to see them because wild animals really dont want to be seen nor have contact with us. That is common and natural behaviour. From time to time though, we do see them but it shouldnt be cause for excitement or panic. When we get ourselves worked into a lather over sightings of these animals doing what comes naturally, we tend to create public hysteria and draw unwanted attention to them. Why cant people just accept the fact that we live in an area where these animals are a fact of life and we are the ones encroaching on their natural habitat with housing developments, etc? Thanks to this latest flurry of warning posts, youll all be happy to know that the conservation officer was on Grant Road the other day and its a fair bet theyre going to be taking action against these animals. Conservation does NOT relocate, they KILL these animals and if you believe otherwise, then your head is unnaturally lodged up an area of your body that does not see the sun. Before you say I dont know what Im talking about, Ill give you a bit of personal background. Im a livestock farmer who has lived in Sooke for over 20 years. Predators dont visit my farm because I use common sense, guardian dogs and take measures to not bring wildlife into conflict with me and my animals. I learned how to do this many years ago after I created a situation that cost a young cougar its life at the hands of conservation officers. It was terrible to witness a young tranquilized cougar falling out a tree from at least 20 feet up and hitting the ground full force into the jaws of cougar hounds that mauled it terribly before it was hauled off to be killed. Afterwards, I swore never to be responsible for that again and took appropriate actions not to. Just because their territory happens to overlap your backyards isnt reason to get excited. Relax for heavens sake! Thanks to all this hype, the poor animals youre complaining and fretting over will more than likely pay for everyones hysterics with their lives. their territory Please think twice before crying wolf.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:08:20 +0000