COQUITLAM, B.C., Feb. 2, 2023 – With recent bear and cougar sightings in Coquitlam, residents and businesses are asked to take proactive measures to ensure their property is not a source of food for urban wildlife.
Recent Cougar Activity
Cougars are currently being seen in the Chineside, Harbour Chines, Oakdale and Ranch Park neighbourhoods. To date, there have been no reported incidents of conflict with humans; however, Coquitlam residents are still encouraged to be vigilant, supervise small children while outdoors and take the following precautions:
- Keep pets indoors, especially at night
- Keep dogs leashed at all times
- Feed pets indoors and clean the ground under bird feeders from any spilled seed, as this can attract smaller animals, such as raccoons and squirrels, which are prey to cougars
- Avoid hiking or walking alone, especially between dusk and dawn when cougars are most active, and be aware of fresh signs, such as tracks or scat
- If you find dead wildlife, slowly leave the area as this may indicate a cougar food cache
- Continue to report all cougar sightings directly to the Conservation Officer Service (COS) at 1-877-952-7277
It is not unusual for cougars to be in urban greenway corridors throughout the Lower Mainland and Coquitlam especially in the winter months when snowpack in the mountains cause cougars to head to lower elevations to find prey such as deer. If you spot a cougar near your home, it is most likely passing through the neighbourhood and will move on. If you encounter a cougar, remain calm. Do not scream or run away. Speak in a loud, firm voice, pick up small children and pets, and back away slowly.
Bears are Active in the Winter
Bears den for the winter unless they can seek out easy and plentiful food sources. They may also become temporarily active during periods of warmer weather in the winter months. Bears are currently being seen in the Dartmoor and Eagle Ridge Neighbourhoods. As a result, City staff are patrolling the community, with a focus on these areas, looking for attractants such as garbage and green carts put out too early for collection.
Guided by massive appetites and a keen sense of smell, bears find unsecured garbage carts, dumpsters and other food sources near homes and businesses to be an irresistible draw. Property owners who allow wildlife to access attractants—even unintentionally—may receive a $500 fine. These rules are explained at www.coquitlam.ca/bearsmart.
Help Keep Urban Wildlife Away
Residents can take simple steps to keep animals safe and prevent human-wildlife conflict, including:
- Store garbage, food waste and recycling in a secure area that is inaccessible to wildlife, such as a locked garage or shed. Alternatively, residents can purchase or build a wildlife resistant enclosure to secure solid waste and prevent wildlife from accessing attractants.
- Only place carts and bins at the curb after 5:30 a.m. on collection day—not the night before.
- Keep carts and bins odour-free by freezing smelly garbage and food waste until collection day and regularly cleaning them.
To report wildlife attractants, improper storage of attractants or wildlife accessing attractants, call the City at 604-927-3500 or email urbanwildlife@coquitlam.ca. To report a conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety or causes property damage, call the COS at 1-877-952-7277.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
604-927-3500
urbanwildlife@coquitlam.ca