Central Saanich Police Service is advising all residents, especially those in the farming community, that there have been two recent incidents of livestock being killed in the Martindale Valley. The killings are believed to be the result of a cougar in the area.
On Aug. 21, police were called to a farm in the 6200 block of Welch Road in Central Saanich. A farmer had located one of his sheep dead and it had appeared to be a result of a cougar attack. A second call came in to the police Aug. 22 where seven goats were discovered dead at a farm on Puckle Road.
While there have not been any specific cougar sighting in the area, the police and B.C. Conservation Service believe the attacks are a result of a cougar. Both properties are in the Martindale Valley located east of the Pat Bay Highway intersected by Island View Road.
According to the B.C. Conservation website, the chances of a cougar attack on livestock can be reduced. Cougars prefer to hunt and stay where escape cover is close by. Removal of brush and trees within half a kilometer of buildings, barns and livestock corrals can result in a reduced predation or harassment by cougars.
The Central Saanich Police and B.C. Conservation Service ask that any cougars sightings in the area be reported immediately to the police at 250-652-4441.