BC Conservation Officers were able to trap and relocate a male cougar from near Nanaimo hospital early Thursday, Mar. 3. (BCOS)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CAT CALL

Conservation officers relocate cougar from next to Nanaimo hospital & daycare

Mar 3, 2022 | 4:27 PM

NANAIMO — A big cat caused some big problems for people around the hospital early Wednesday morning.

A security guard near the front entrance saw a cougar around 4 a.m. and reported it soon after to police.

An initial scan of the area proved unsuccessful however B.C. Conservation Officers were able to track the animal to a tree in a nearby daycare parking lot.

“It was tranquilized and assessed in consultation with wildlife biologists with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development,” the service said.

The animal was relocated safely away from populated areas.

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“There was no conflict history or reports of aggressive behaviour associated with this cougar and the decision was made to relocate the animal. The healthy male cougar may have wandered further into town in search of deer.”

People who see cougars or other wildlife in populated areas are encouraged to report it to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.

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