Cougar Controversy - Should We Rest On Our Haunches?

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Cougar Controversy - Should We Rest On Our Haunches?

by Thea Atkinson

Imagine for a moment, you have just spotted an animal crossing your yard. What animal comes to mind? For most people, either a cat or dog would be the probability. Most of us would simply not think of a cougar.

Yet, there have been a number of reported sightings of mountain lions, panthers or catamounts in Nova Scotia. These "sightings" have yet to produce physical evidence of this large cat and because of this, have sparked a continuing debate as to whether cougars exist in the province.
Understandably, on such grounds, it is important to note that hysteria is foolish, but surely listed sightings warrant precaution. After all Nova Scotians are warned to watch for bears when venturing in our forests; would it be any less prudent to prepare for the possibility of facing a cougar?

The availability of credible information does little in settling our minds on the issue. While experts argue the existence of eastern cougars, citizens continue to sight what they believe to be mountain lions. Indeed, there have been many occasions when these 'cat sightings' prove to be nothing more than an ordinary housecat prowling the horizon under just the right light conditions. But some, including a videotaped sighting and the existence of tracks, have remained inconclusive. Despite an incident in 1985 involving a Shelburne county resident and what she believes to have been a cougar, Department of Natural Resources officials maintain that there has been no physical evidence left by a cougar to warrant confirmation of their presence.

Mark Elderkin of the Department of Natural Resources says, "we are always interested in information on sightings, but are most
interested in physical evidence."

Hard evidence is necessary to prove the existence of cougars in the province; scat, droppings, or prints have simply not materialized. The debate is further muddled by DNA analysis on scat previously proclaimed as containing mountain lion hair. That analysis proved conclusively that the hair contained within was not that of an eastern cougar. Furthermore, a cat shot in Quebec was a Chilean species thought to have escaped from its owner.

Part of the discussion stems from the question of whether there is a breeding population of lions or whether sighted cats are the result of lax regulations concerning captive cougars. More than one animal has escaped its owner and since 500 kilometers is a mere walk in the park for a cougar, it is perfectly conceivable that beasts escaping from the U.S. manage to find their way into Canada.

Yet, mountain lions or cougars are breeding in the Maritimes, albeit in captivity.

Three male cubs and one female were born on August 28th, 1999 to Sheba, a female western cougar held at the Upper Clements Wildlife Park, in Annapolis County. Marianne LeBlanc discovered the cuddly, spotted cubs on her morning feeding rounds at the park. These western cougar cubs (felis concolor) are likely to be the only cougars ever seen by most Nova Scotians.

"Because cougars are an endangered species, their birth was very significant to the park," says Marianne, who has been an attendant at the facility for four years. "Because cougars are rarely seen in the wild, visitors to the park find it very exciting to see a cougar - especially the cubs - up close."

As Sheba's offspring become self sufficient, they will be adopted out to other parks across Canada. Though cougar cubs usually stay with their mother for two years in the wild, these captive animals may be ready to travel as early as December. At this point they are still nursing, but are starting to eat some of their mother's food - a delectable combination of ground deer meat, beef, chicken, and vitamins.

For many observers, the success of cougars breeding in captivity only confirms their belief that cougars may be breeding in the wild. And as mentioned earlier, there has is little evidence to conclusively prove one way or another whether cougars are found in Atlantic Canada. Within this convoluted debate, is the very real fact that the Maritimes are a perfect habitat for the cougar. Whether the eastern cougar or a close relative, the abundance of deer in our forests provides adequate sustenance for this mysterious feline.

Ross Hall, a regional biologist for the Department of Natural Resources for 26 years says there is only "one in 10 sightings that we don't have a clear answer for - that would raise speculation."

That may well be a small percentage, but to those who believe they have spotted a lion, statistics hold little sway.

One of those who believes without a doubt that cougars are present here is Michael Lawson. In April, 1999, while biking with his son along an abandoned railway line in Tusket, Yarmouth County, Michael spotted a tan colored animal coming out of the trees. At first he thought it might be a large dog, but as he watched it, he noticed it had a long tail like a cat, walked like a cat and moved like a cat.

"We made eye contact for those seconds," says Michael. Before he could signal his son, the beast ran and disappeared into the trees. Eleven days later, Michael filled out a cougar investigation report that listed the cat as having a 30 inch shoulder height and a body length of over 40 inches.

"I was certain before, but when I looked on the net afterwards, I knew without a doubt that what I saw was a cougar."

Michael's report has gone unconfirmed as no physical evidence was found, but that doesn't alter his opinion.

"There are cougars here in Nova Scotia," he states. His report to Department of Natural Resources biologist, Peter MacDonald, was
investigated and remains on the books. 1999 statistics on cougar sightings in Nova Scotia are expected to be compiled by DNR officials early in the new year.

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