A 69-year-old man suffered serious injuries after he was attacked by a cougar north of Whistler, B.C. Monday afternoon.
The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said the man was near his property in the Soo Valley around 3:30 pm when the big cat went after him.
“The man was mauled by a cougar and suffered major injuries to his face and hand,” the wildlife officers posted in social media Monday night.
An ambulance took him to hospital where he is in stable condition.
Whistler RCMP responded first to the scene and killed the cougar.
COUGAR ATTACK | A 69-year-old man was attacked by a cougar near his property in the #SooValley north of #Whistler The #BCCOS Predator Attack Team is on site investigating the attack, which happened at approx. 3:30 p.m.
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) January 26, 2021
The conservation officer service predator response team is also investigating.
“The COS does not believe there is any risk to the public at this time,” the province said.
On Tuesday, the conservation officer service said the euthanized cougar was a young, emaciated male and that that attack was predatory in nature.
Conservation officers released a photo of the scene – a track in the snow left behind in the ordeal.UPDATE | The #BCCOS Predator Attack Team investigation has determined the cougar that mauled a 69-year-old man at his #SooValley property near #Whistler was a young, emaciated male and the attack was predatory in nature.
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) January 26, 2021
Wildlife officers said the senior who was attacked did everything right.
“The victim took the right steps in the event of such an encounter and fought back against the cougar, which likely saved his life,” officials said.
The BCCOS would like to emphasize that the victim took the right steps in the event of such an encounter and fought back against the cougar, which likely saved his life. More info here: https://t.co/a6u3rf0oIT
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) January 26, 2021
Below, a picture of a cougar track in the snow at the attack site. pic.twitter.com/hRTEQvEp1V
Officials offered these tips if you find yourself face-to-face with a cougar.
People should make themselves look as large as possible. Never run or turn your back on a cougar. Sudden movements may provoke an attack. And, if you are attacked, fight back, officials said.
Main photo: BCCOS/File
