Some hiking and mountain biking trails near Alice Lake have been closed after a series of aggressive cougar attacks on the weekend.
After three incidents on Sunday in which a cougar appeared to be deliberately encountering mountain bikers and not backing off, conservation officers made the decision to close the trails and start tracking the cougar, said Chris Doyle, an inspector with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
Get breaking National news
The bikers held their bikes over their heads to appear bigger, and made loud noises, which is the right thing to do if you meet a cougar, but this big cat did not turn and run, Doyle said.
Although dogs have been tracking the cougar for three days, they have not yet found the cougar. If the cat is found, conservation officers will try to assess the reasons the animal has been aggressive, and the cat may be destroyed.
Doyle said Alice Lake Provincial Park, including the campground, the beach and the lower trails, remains open. The park is between Squamish and Whistler, off Highway 99.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.