Subscription info . With the advent of warmer weather, the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks is reminding the public about cougar safety tips to reduce the number of cougar and human conflicts when hiking, camping, or participating in outdoor recreational activities. There are approximately 4,000 cougars in British Columbia with the highest concentrations in the Kootenays, Southern Interior, Vancouver Island and Cariboo regions. Cougars are the most active from dusk until dawn, when they hunt for food.
Cougars primarily prey on deer.
They also feed on elk, raccoons, rabbits, beavers, grouse, occasional livestock and household pets. These shy and elusive animals rarely attack humans. In the past 50 years, six people in BC have died from cougar attacks and approximately 27 people have been attacked. Cougars and other wildlife such as bears and coyotes are killed each year to protect the public. In many cases these deaths can be prevented by not attracting wildlife and by knowing what to do if a cougar is encountered.