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Cougar Suspected in 36 Livestock Killings on Vancouver Island - The Northern View
Farmers say one injured cougar and two juveniles killed 36 animals across five farms, prompting calls for faster conservation officer response.
Farmers in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area are demanding more action from the BC Conservation Officer Service after 36 livestock animals were killed across five farms. Most recently, three geese were killed on Billy Jolicoeur and Garrett Jolicoeur's farm on Garden Road on September 28.
Reports date back to August at a Blower Road farm in Parksville, where 11 turkeys, five ducks and one house cat were killed. An injured adult cougar is suspected of behaving abnormally by killing more prey than it eats due to its injury.
A kill site was located 10 feet from the playhouse of the Jolicoeurs' two young children. "We're sleeping with our windows open so we can hear if any animal commotion happens outside," Garrett Jolicoeur said.
The BCCOS stated that responsibility rests with farmers to secure livestock using electric fences and barns, noting there have been no reports of cougars showing aggression toward people or pets in the area.
Across Vancouver Island, the BCCOS will continue to monitor cougar activity to ensure public safety and property protection, noting that sightings in rural areas are not unusual for the region.