Reward for cougar killers
Darron Kloster, Times Colonist – May 6, 2022 / 11:49 am | Story: 368218
Photo: TIMES COLONIST FILE PHOTO
A file photo of a cougar.
A wildlife charity is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the illegal killing of two cougar kittens near Duncan.
The Fur-Bearers group hopes the cash reward will spur calls to the B.C. Conservation Officers Service, which reported finding the young cats this week near Hill 60 Forest Service Road in the Cowichan Valley.
The paws and heads of both cougars had been cut off.
“We’re hopeful that this reward will help prompt people who may have seen or heard something related to this case to contact the RAPP Line and provide information that can lead to a conviction of the person(s) responsible,” said Aaron Hofman, director of advocacy and policy for the Fur-Bearers. The group was founded in 1953 to protect fur-bearing animals in the wild and confinement, and promote coexistence, through conservation, advocacy, research and education.
Poaching wildlife is a serious offence under the B.C. Wildlife Act as it is illegal to kill cougar kittens — any cougar with spots or under one year of age — or cougars in a family unit.
“The killing of cougar kittens shows a blatant disregard for ethical hunting and wildlife conservation,” said Duncan conservation officer Mark Kissinger. “Thankfully, this is not the type of offence we see frequently.”
Information can be reported to the province’s Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-952-727 or by using the online form.