taken from a post on the hunt ontario forum:
Prov. Constable Doug Graham Time: 27 Sep 2005 6:00pm (519) 227-4423
Cougar Sightings Spur Community Safeguards
Two cougars believed to be mother and daughter have been sighted on Oneida and Chippewas of the Thames First Nations territories. Paw prints at the scene have been verified as belong to cougars.
Both Nations have taken proactive steps to ensure public safety and have been updating information in their communities.
A meeting held today at the Chippewas of the Thames band office brought community partners together to discuss the precautions that have been undertaken.
Cougar expert Kee Dewdney Southwestern Ontario Coordinator of the Ontario Puma Foundation and UWO professor provided a comprehensive overview of cougars.
He stressed that there has never been a recorded cougar attack in Southwestern Ontario. They try to avoid human contact if possible. These two black cats are native Ontario cougars. Approximately 25 % of Ontario cougars are black. These cats are expert climbers that prefer forested or bush areas. Most of the past Ontario sighting have in the early Fall.
All of the sightings in the last week have been at night. The cougars are expected to move to another area within the next week, as is their habit.
Precautions should still be put in place to safeguard people.
Local schools have been made aware of the issue.
Schools have increased adult supervision in the yard.
Bush along school fence lines are being trimmed back.
People are asking to avoid walking alone at night near bush areas.
Sheds and barns should be secured if possible. Especially if garbage or pets are housed within.
Pets should not be allowed to run free, as these tend to be easy prey.
Middlesex OPP has contacted the Delaware area schools and Elgin OPP contacted Southwold School as a precautionary measure.
Information will be updated as it is made available.
Cougars around chatam and london?
I read a book on Cougars last winter and it basically stated that cougars can range anywhere that their main food source is found......deer. Scary thing about them is that victims usually never see the cat until it is on them. They usually attack from the side or rear, knocking the victim down and then biting at the face and shoulders.
Gotta go with the stats though, you're more likely to be struck by lightning them to be attacked by a cougar. It won't keep me out of the woods
.
Gotta go with the stats though, you're more likely to be struck by lightning them to be attacked by a cougar. It won't keep me out of the woods
.I hunt for memories, the meat's a bonus!
Chatham area Cougars
There was a flurry of reports in the Chatham, Glenwood, Port Alma area about 1998 / 1999. Yours truly thought he was going abit waky, as I swear I spotted one running across the road ( very close ) in front of me at 2 in the morning. It was on #3 highway in the Port Alma area, did not tell a soul but my wife. Thought people would say I was crazy. A week went by and it was in the paper, others had seen it. Sightings & tracks ( Plus a clawed up utility pole ) went on for a month or so then no more sightings.