Cougar sighting confirmed near Whitehorse

A cougar sighting near Whitehorse last Friday has been confirmed by conservation officers.

Investigators confirmed the sighting south of the city after identifying cougar tracks. They say they were made by a pair of juvenile cats.

Conservation officer Ken Knutson, who manages field operations in southern Yukon, says guarding yourself from cougars is similar to how to protect yourself from bears.

"They are a meateater, a carnivore, so they hunt and not dissimilar from bears so that if you are in the wilderness you need to pay attention to your surroundings," he says.

"If you have young children, you need to keep them close. If you have pets, you keep them leashed. And we advise you carry a big stick if there's one around and never a bad idea to carry the pepper spray as well."

Knutson says cougars don't tend to occupy the same area for extended periods of time. Sohe saysit's highly likely the animals have moved on.

Knutson says the cats are generally attracted to an area occupied by deer or elk but they do take other wildlife or pets if they have the opportunity.

Environment Yukon says sightings are reported each yearbut most are difficult to verify.

Anyone spottinga cougar in Yukon is asked to call theTIPPLine at 1-800-661-0525 or visit www.env.gov.yk.ca/tipp.