Timberlane cougar leaves area
Conservation officers are reporting that the cougar and kittens which were seen last week in the Timberlane area have moved on.
Powell River conservation officer Andrew Anaka said he saw one of the kittens crossing the top end of Joyce Avenue and leaving the area on Saturday, June 8.
Since then he has not received further reports of sightings.
“It’s been a very busy spring as far as problem wildlife goes,” said Anaka.
The conservation officer service in Powell River received 53 problem wildlife complaints in May and, as of June 12, another 27 since the beginning of the month.
“Things are definitely far busier than most years,” he said. “No explanation—some years are just like this.”
Conservation officers caught and destroyed a small injured bear after it broke into a trailer while looking for food in The Tides Mobile Home Park last weekend.
Over the past few weeks Wildwood residents in both The Tides and Powell Lake mobile home parks, as well as residents along Chilco Avenue, made several reports to the conservation officer service about the bear hanging around the area.
“We set a trap, caught it and subsequently destroyed it,” said Anaka. “It was very emaciated and injured.”
Residents in the area reported that the small bear may have been injured after being struck by a car.
“Once we determined that it was injured, we just humanely dispatched it,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that it came to that.”
The officers are still receiving reports of daylight bear sightings at Sunset Park in Wildwood, but the bears are not causing problems. The same sow with four cubs that were frequently seen last summer have returned again to the park.
Cougar complaints from residents south of town are increasing. Anaka said reports have been made about cougar sightings on Traffe Road and at Black Point. He also mentioned the conservation officer service is asking for the public’s assistance to find two orphaned four- or five-month-old cougar kittens out at Scotch Fir Point.
“They’re not old enough to fend for themselves,” said Anaka. “I’ve seen photographs of them and they are very emaciated.”
Anaka said the kittens will likely be found in a woodshed or underneath a cabin.
To report a sighting of a cougar or bear, people can call 1.877.952.7277 (RAPP).
Ferries changes schedule
BC Ferries has modified the Saltery Bay-Earls Cove schedule to accommodate participants in the BC Bike Race. On Wednesday, July 3, the 9:25 am sailing from Saltery Bay will be exclusively for cyclists and support vehicles. No other customers will be allowed on this sailing. Customers should plan for potential heavy traffic on the 7:15 and 11:40 am sailings from Saltery Bay as well. Two additional sailings have been added to the route, leaving Saltery Bay at 5:25 am and leaving Earls Cove at 6:20 am.
Additionally, BC Ferries has issued a notice to expect heavy traffic on the 10:10 am sailing from Comox to Powell River on Tuesday, July 2, the day participants travel to Powell River.
BC Ferries is the presenting sponsor of this year’s BC Bike Race, which is bringing cyclists from throughout the world to BC to compete in a seven-day staged mountain bike race. The event begins on Vancouver Island on Saturday, June 29 and ends up in Whistler on Saturday, July 6. Racers take to Powell River’s trails on Tuesday, July 2.
