A cougar has attacked an 18-month-old child in Pacific Rim National Park, Parks Canada spokesperson Laura Judson said.
The attack happened in the Kennedy Lake portion of the park at 6 p.m. on Monday night.
Members of the child’s family stopped the attack and chased the cougar away.
The child suffered undisclosed injuries and is in hospital recovering.
The park is closed to the public while Parks Canada and B.C. Conservation Service officers track down the cougar, Judson said.
A Parks Canada wolf and cougar advisory has been in effect since two dogs were killed in cougar attacks in mid-August.
The first dog attack took place August 8 on Flores Island, and the second August 12 at the Tofino Mudflats, according to Bob Hansen, human-wildlife conflict specialist for the park.
In both cases the dogs were not on a leash.
On August 1 a jogger was able to fend off a cougar in the Port Albion area until help arrived.
A cougar passed through an area campground August 11.
There have been no further cougar sightings since, but there have been wolf sightings on the mudflats and in the Long Beach Unit, said Hansen.
“The important consideration is that both cougars and wolves travel widely, even in the course of a single day,” he said, noting networks of trails, beaches, mudflats and other types of travel corridors that local wildlife routinely use on a daily basis across the region.
“This traveling characteristic is why the park has posted the wolf/cougar advisory throughout the entire Long Beach Unit and shared the information widely in the region,” said Hansen.
According to BC Conservation officer Jeff Tyre, cougars can roam up to 80 km in a day.
Hansen says the risk to people is not considered high, but people should be aware of possible contact with carnivores.
“The fatal attacks on docks illustrates that the risk to dogs off leash is considerable.”
The park advises people to keep dogs on leash at all times.
Wildlife encounters and observations can be reported to Parks Canada staff or by calling 1-877-852 3100.
If you encounter or observe a wolf or cougar, Parks Canada reminds the public:
. The more space between you and a predator, the lower the risk
. Never approach a predator
. Yell, wave your arms, look large; if you have one, use an air horn
. Back away slowly, maintain eye contact with the animal as you leave
. Do not run
If a wolf or cougar approaches you:
. Make as much noise as possible to frighten and discourage the animal, yell for help
. If you have it, use pepper spray (test it and be sure you know how to use it beforehand)
Keep your dog on a leash:
. The Canada National Parks Act requires you keep your dog on leash in a national park.
. Experience has shown that a dog on-leash is at a much lower risk of falling prey to a wolf or cougar.
