The province’s Conservation Officer Service is seeking the public’s help after two cougar kittens on Vancouver Island were illegally shot and killed.
According to the COS, the poaching incident happened in the Cowichan Valley area within the past week, near Hill 60 Forest Service Road, with the paws and heads of the kittens being removed.
The COS says it’s illegal to kill cougar kittens (any cougar with spots or under one year of age) or cougars in a family unit.
It also said poaching wildlife is a serious offence under the B.C. Wildlife Act.
“The killing of cougar kittens shows a blatant disregard for ethical hunting and wildlife conservation,” said Duncan Conservation Officer Mark Kissinger.
“Thankfully, this is not the type of offence we see frequently.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
In related news, a wildlife charity called The Fur-Bearers says it’s offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or people responsible for killing the two cougar kittens.
“We’re hopeful that this reward will help prompt people who may have seen or heard something related to this case to contact the RAPP Line and provide information that can lead to a conviction of the person(s) responsible,” said Aaron Hofman, the director of advocacy and policy for The Fur-Bearers.