CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – Two cougars were seen around Middle Quinsam Lake on Thursday afternoon.
Mike Germunstad, owner of Throttle Therapy ATV Adventures, was in the area with his dog.
He said he’s been seeing a lot of garbage around the area lately, so he decided to clean up and rake the ground. That was when he had some visitors.
“I thought I heard a vehicle coming, another motorbike or something. So I stopped what I was doing and went over to my side-by-side just to have a bit of a rest,” Germunstad said.
“I caught a glimpse of something and I thought it was a dog coming towards us. It turns out it was a cougar, and another cougar right behind it.”
He said both cougars seemed young.
“I was hoping the mom wasn’t nearby. I think they’re on their own. They showed up together and wandered off together.”
Germunstad posted a series of videos of the encounter. The two cougars didn’t seem aggressive, but at one point, he said that one of the cougars started walking towards him and his dog. Germunstad said he picked up the dog and put him in the side-by-side.
The cougar walked away from them after that.
“They went and lay down next to the cabin and just stayed there for about ten minutes.”
Germunstad has since reported the incident to the Conservation Officer Service.
To report cougar and other wildlife sightings, contact the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
