Cougar captured in southern Ontario
Pete Fisher, QMI Agency
First posted: Saturday, July 12, 2014 12:00 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 12, 2014 11:00 PM EDT
GRAFTON, Ont. — A cougar that had been seen wandering north of Grafton all this week was finally captured late Friday night.
The full-sized cougar, believed to be a domesticated cougar that had escaped, had been spotted since Monday wandering in the Cranberry Lake Rd. area.
When the cougar was again spotted Thursday, Ministry of Natural Resources officers were called in to try to capture the cougar, using a trap baited with steak and chicken. They set it up in the yard of Jean Wilson.
Family members spotted the cougar roaming the yard, resting under the deck of the home, going through a vegetable garden and eventually settling in by a shaded area of the backyard.
"The cat was around this evening and it eventually wandered down to the trap and of course I imagine it was hungry and went in after the meat and the trap came down," Wilson told QMI Agency late Friday night. "We stayed away from the trap and let the cat stay as calm as possible."
Ministry officials were notified and immediately travelled down to pick up the animal.
On Friday, Ministry of Natural Resources spokeswoman Lorraine Norris said, "Typically cougars are very shy. They don’t want to be around human’s if they don’t have to. This cougar has been exhibiting some behaviour that it looks like it may be somewhat accustomed to being around humans which may indicate it was once a captive cougar."
Residents along Cranberry Lake Rd. said they suspect a man living in the area has a number of wild animals and one claimed seeing him walking a Siberian tiger.
"Over the years, I’ve actually seen him walking his Siberian tiger with a logging chain," said the woman.
In an interview on Thursday, the man would only give his name at Caygon and described himself as a "very private person."
His driveway is fenced off with video surveillance signs and one sign stating it is the Cranberry Lake Game Sanctuary.
The sign partly states, "we have found it necessary to take extreme measures to protect this location. Do not attempt entry for any reason. Failure to heed this warning will place offenders at extreme risk and danger. There will be no exceptions."
Caygon he stated he has "numerous cats," but wouldn’t elaborate on what types and how many.
Cougar captured in southern Ontario | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
Pete Fisher, QMI Agency
First posted: Saturday, July 12, 2014 12:00 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, July 12, 2014 11:00 PM EDT
GRAFTON, Ont. — A cougar that had been seen wandering north of Grafton all this week was finally captured late Friday night.
The full-sized cougar, believed to be a domesticated cougar that had escaped, had been spotted since Monday wandering in the Cranberry Lake Rd. area.
When the cougar was again spotted Thursday, Ministry of Natural Resources officers were called in to try to capture the cougar, using a trap baited with steak and chicken. They set it up in the yard of Jean Wilson.
Family members spotted the cougar roaming the yard, resting under the deck of the home, going through a vegetable garden and eventually settling in by a shaded area of the backyard.
"The cat was around this evening and it eventually wandered down to the trap and of course I imagine it was hungry and went in after the meat and the trap came down," Wilson told QMI Agency late Friday night. "We stayed away from the trap and let the cat stay as calm as possible."
Ministry officials were notified and immediately travelled down to pick up the animal.
On Friday, Ministry of Natural Resources spokeswoman Lorraine Norris said, "Typically cougars are very shy. They don’t want to be around human’s if they don’t have to. This cougar has been exhibiting some behaviour that it looks like it may be somewhat accustomed to being around humans which may indicate it was once a captive cougar."
Residents along Cranberry Lake Rd. said they suspect a man living in the area has a number of wild animals and one claimed seeing him walking a Siberian tiger.
"Over the years, I’ve actually seen him walking his Siberian tiger with a logging chain," said the woman.
In an interview on Thursday, the man would only give his name at Caygon and described himself as a "very private person."
His driveway is fenced off with video surveillance signs and one sign stating it is the Cranberry Lake Game Sanctuary.
The sign partly states, "we have found it necessary to take extreme measures to protect this location. Do not attempt entry for any reason. Failure to heed this warning will place offenders at extreme risk and danger. There will be no exceptions."
Caygon he stated he has "numerous cats," but wouldn’t elaborate on what types and how many.
Cougar captured in southern Ontario | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
