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Cougar spotted in Lake Cowichan

A cougar has been sighted near the park where a huge crowd of Cowichan Lake residents will gather for the annual Lake Days celebration this weekend.

Reports were circulating on Facebook Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning, Lake Cowichan RCMP announced, "On June 3, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Lake Cowichan detachment received a report of a cougar sighting within the Lake Cowichan townsite area.

"A lady walking her dog came upon what she believed was a young cougar on the Ted Burns Nature Preserve Trail between Saywell Park by the Kaatza Museum and Point Ideal Road. Lake Cowichan RCMP members walked through the area but did not locate the animal," Const. Bruce Coles said Wednesday.

There have been other sightings of cougars in populated areas on southern Vancouver Island this week so everyone is on the alert.

"Lake Cowichan RCMP members walked through the area but did not locate the animal.

The BC Conservation Service was notified and will be checking the location further," he said.

Saywell Park is the centre of three big days of activities this weekend, including stage shows on Friday, the Lady of the Lake crowning, logger

sports and the Town of Lake Cowichan steak dinner Saturday and the Build, Bail and Sale race, the Baby of the Lake contest and the road hockey finals Sunday, so residents and visitors of all ages will be in the vicinity.

"The Lake Cowichan RCMP wish to caution the public about using this trail or other trails in the area and to be on the look out for both bears and cougars," Coles continued.

Mounties are requesting that any further bear or cougar sightings be reported to the BC Conservation Service at 250-746-1236 or the Lake Cowichan Detachment at 250-749-6668.