Cougar caught in Pincher Creek

RCMP Cst Oliver Richer with tranquilized Cougar

RCMP press release

On Monday morning September 24 at approximately 7 am local Fish and Wildlife officers along with the Pincher Creek RCMP and Bylaw officers were alerted to a cougar who was roaming through a residential area in town.

Bylaw and RCMP were able to locate and tree the cat who was a little overwhelmed by all the attention he'd generated. Fish and Wildlife officers attended and were then able to tranquilize the cougar without incident or causing any harm to the animal. The cougar was later released back into the Castle area in the hopes it will find that area somewhat more appealing.

Cougars are not typical found within the town limits but are common to south western Alberta due to its geographical location next to the Rockies and abundance of forestry. Over the last five years there has been at least 3 cougars who were relocated from the town of Pincher Creek, including one that needed to be trapped after taking shelter in a residential storm sewer.

Editor's note:  Eyewitnesses report the cougar was treed on Christie Avenue between St. Michael's School and St. Michael's Catholic Church.