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Cougar sighted at Dogwood Bay recreation site near Campbell River

Conservation officers have closed the campsite to public use

The Conservation Officer Service (COS) has received and confirmed reports of  two cougars sitting on a beach behind Dogwood Bay Recreation Site and have closed the site to public use.

COS is having difficulty tracking cougars, given the effect of the current dry weather on the scent tracked by their dogs, according to Ministry of Environment spokesperson David Karn. In this heat, after two hours, the scent is gone for dogs to track.

Closure signs will be posted at Dogwood Bay. The campsite is part of the Sayward Forest Canoe Route and is located on the north shore of Campbell Lake. The site is accessed via the Campbell Lake forest service road.

Nearby recreation sites will have warning signs posted, with a call center (RAPP) phone number 1-877-952-7277 for reporting any further sightings.

The RAPP call center has been advised to forward any further cougar reports in the area recreation sites or provincial parks to the COS.