Four cougar sightings in Saanich, B.C., have residents on edge as police have not yet been able to catch the dangerous animals.
Sgt. Dean Jantzen told CTV News that police came close to trapping one in the last sighting, and actually followed a large cat in their cruiser before it darted back into the bushes.
"From that point our officers were literally beating the bushes just trying to shoo the animal away," Jantzen said.
Police think a large deer population in the area may be what is attracting the frequent feline visitors. Until deer overpopulation is addressed, police warn there may be more sightings.
"So far there have been no attacks on family pets or livestock, and the cougars that have been spotted have all appeared healthy - most likely hunting deer at night," Jantzen said.
Schools in the area have kept children inside during recess as a precaution.
"Yes it concerns me," daycare provider Ann Mais said. "I just keep the children close to me all the time, and of course, we won't be walking in the woods."
Police believe the sightings may be of different cats given the varied geographical locations and size descriptions of the cougars.
The last cougar was spotted by a motorist walking south on Blenkinsop Road on Thursday after midnight.
Earlier that night, a resident waiting for a bus on Quadra Street saw a cougar walk out from nearby bushes and continued its path up McKenzie Avenue.
Two sightings were reported the previous evening in residential areas near Cordova Ridge and the TransCanada Highway after Tillicum Road.
Police are warning residents to take extra care when outdoors, especially with small children or pets. They advise residents to visit the BC Conservation Service website to learn what to do in a cougar encounter.
