Four cougars were spotted by a large group of trail runners in the bluffs above Westwood Lake during the early evening of Monday, Nov 17. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

cougar sighting

Trail runners elude curious cougars behind Westwood Lake

Nov 18, 2025 | 4:07 PM

NANAIMO — Strength in numbers may have played a pivotal role in maintaining the safety of a large group of people out for an evening run.

Chris O’Grady was one of two runners leading a group of seven on the evening of Monday, Nov. 17, trekking along the Westwood Ridge trail network on the lower southeast slopes of Mount Benson.

While on the short connector CTS trail between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., O’Grady stopped for the rest of the group to catch up.

“As I looked around, I saw these two eyes about fifteen yards up the trail staring back down at us, then noticed another set of eyes and could see them quite clearly. We regrouped, and above the trail, somebody spotted another two cougars.”

O’Grady, a Nanaimo Search and Rescue member, said the four cougars appeared to be together as one group, despite the other big cats being about 150 meters away on higher terrain.

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He said the two close-by cougars profiled as young adults, who appeared to be intentionally situated directly beside the trail.

“We backed away, we stayed as a group; we maintained eye contact until we couldn’t see them,” O’Grady said. “We had headlamps on, so their eyes stood out pretty clearly.”

O’Grady said the cougars beside the trail appeared unbothered by their presence, which he stated weren’t displaying aggressive behaviour.

The animals weren’t growling, but stared intently at them, O’Grady recounted.

“As we backed away, they sort of stood up and walked toward us, but it looked like they were more trying to keep us in view than try to approach us.”

O’Grady has frequently used the trails in the Westwood Lake and Mount Benson areas for the past 25 years and never seen a cougar.

“The cats, they’re beautiful, they really are spectacular animals, and to see them up close, you can appreciate how wild they are.”

While describing the cougar encounter as exhilarating, O’Grady said the experience will likely sway him when he goes for his next backcountry run.

“I don’t run those trails a lot at night, and I’m not so sure I would again. I don’t think that would have been a great situation on your own.”

O’Grady’s summary of what occurred has spread on local social media channels, including a post on the public Facebook page: Nanaimo cougar and bear sightings.

According to the B.C. government, Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of cougars in North America, with an estimated population of 600 to 800. These cougars prefer mountainous, forested areas and are most active at dusk and dawn.

Vancouver Island’s high cougar count is linked to the abundant deer population, the B.C. Government noted, which supplied the following safety advice.

Cougar safety and encounter guidelines

• Do not run: This can trigger an attack. Back away slowly, while keeping the cougar in view.
• Make yourself look large: Raise your arms, stand tall, and speak in a loud, firm voice.
• Pick up children: Pick them up immediately, without bending down.
• If attacked: Do not run. Fight back aggressively using anything you can as a weapon, focusing on the face and eyes.
• Prevent encounters: Avoid hiking alone, keep pets on a leash, and make noise to avoid surprising a cougar.
• Never approach a cougar kitten: A mother will aggressively defend her young.

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