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UPDATE: Conservationists kill 2 cougars after attack on BC woman is deemed predatory

(UPDATE: May 6 @ 5:45 am): Two cougars have been killed by conservationists after they determined that Tuesday's attack on a woman was predatory.

The Conservation Officer Service (COS) said it is confident it has now killed the animal responsible for the attack in the Harrison Mills area.

The woman remains in a stable condition after being seriously hurt in the attack.

COS said the attack was unprovoked, but stressed that such incidents are "extremely rare."

The two cougars that were killed were found – with the aid of dogs – within 60 feet of the attack site, COS said.

They were both healthy sub-adult males.

"We understand people are passionate about wildlife, but the priority of the COS is to ensure public safety, which must come first," COS explained.

"Relocation/translocation was not an option for these two animals, as the risk to the public is simply far too great."

COS added: "Cougars are elusive animals and attacks on people are extremely rare. Physical contact between humans and wildlife is very rare; predatory attacks are even rarer yet.

"The public should always educate themselves on what wildlife is in their area and what precautions they need to take if they encounter wildlife."

(UPDATE: May 5 @ 5:30 am): The woman who was seriously hurt in a cougar attack on Tuesday is in a stable condition, officials have said.

She suffered injuries to her head, face and arms, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) explained.

"The woman was in her yard at her rural property in the Harrison Mills area, when she was attacked by a cougar this morning," COS added.

"A man helped chase the cougar off the woman, who was airlifted to hospital, where she remains."

<who> Photo credit: COS

The cougar has not yet been found.

The COS's Predator Attack Team (PAT) said it has secured the site of the attack and is continuing with an investigation.

"The PAT is made up of highly trained specialists who are working to determine the circumstances of the attack, which includes examining evidence at the scene, utilizing any forensic evidence and implementing techniques to track and identify the cougar involved in the incident," the agency explained.

(Original story: May 4 @ 12:13 pm): A woman has been airlifted to hospital after being attacked by a cougar in BC.

It happened in the Harrison Mills area today, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) said.

The woman suffered serious injuries, the COS added.

<who> Photo credit: 123RF

She was attacked at her remote property in the morning.

The COS's Predator Attack Team is investigating.

Few details are available at this time, the COS added, but more information will be provided later.



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