The Hope
Standard
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Hope Slide 14
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015
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3 FIRE DESTROYS LAIDLAW TRAILER
The cause of the blaze is unknown and remains under investigation
13 SPECIAL BOOK
READING IN HOPE
Former RCMP Staff Sgt. Ed Hill returns to talk about his new book
Storm cleanup
KERRIE-ANN SCHOENIT / THE STANDARD
16 TEAMS STRUGGLE
David Perottie, an arborist with Davey Tree Expert Company, removes broken branches from trees in Memorial Park on Tuesday morning. The company was contracted by the District of Hope to cleanup storm damaged trees in Memorial Park, as well as along Flood-Hope Road, Othello Road, and around the Visitor Centre.
Mustangs refocus after weekend losses to prepare for final season games
Cougar sightings around Hope
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Kerrie-Ann Schoenit Hope Standard
There’s been several reported cougar sightings in the Hope area over the last month, but a local conservation officer says residents should not worry. One was seen walking by Fraser Canyon Hospital on Dec. 21, while a pair of cougars were spotted along the Trans-Canada Highway as well as Ross Road on Jan. 12. “This is the time of year you’re going to see them. The deer are basically yarded because of the snow levels. As the snow levels get
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deeper, the deer come down and the cougars follow them,” said Sgt. Steve Jacobi, with the Conservation Officer Service (COS). “They’ll stay right around the edge of town. Sometimes you’ll see them coming through town but for the most part, they’re not that dangerous.” Once a cougar is caught in the open, they’ll likely just stand there and stare at a person. However, Jacobi recommends making yourself appear dominate and bigger by yelling and waving your hands above your head to avoid any problems. Cougars will generally walk away
after that, he said. Cougar sightings in the Hope area are not unusual at this time of year, given the community’s rural location. In addition to deer, cougars will prey on raccoons and rabbits. Jacobi said if they stick around and feel comfortable in town, they might start hunting house cats. “The way that you know you have a real cougar problem is you start seeing them in broad daylight and on a very frequent basis,” he added. “What we’re really concerned about is if they actually get into conflict.” Cougars don’t normally travel in
pairs either. When they do, Jacobi said it’s generally two juveniles that have been kicked out of a group. They’ll stay together for as long as a year, sometimes even longer depending on how bonded they are, until they find their own territory and their way around. For more information on cougar safety, visit the COS website at www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/wildlife_human_interaction/docs/cougars.html To report a conflict or unusual wildlife activity, call 1-877-9527277.
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