Photo of a cougar running across a rural residence near Plum Coulee in 2008 (Photo courtesy Linda Dyck)

A Manitoba conservationist says there's no hard evidence to confirm a cougar is roaming the Altona area, but he won't rule it out completely.

Bill Watkins says they don't have any DNA samples or clear tracks to confirm the many reported sightings of the big cat, but they do have some very credible witnesses and a pattern of reports that suggests there is a single animal using the area as part of its range. Watkins was the guest speaker at an information meeting in Altona Thursday night where he outlined some of the history and habits of cougars in Manitoba to over 100 people. A significant number of cougar sightings prompted Altona Police Service to organize the meeting.

Three cougars have been found in Manitoba in the past six years. Two were found in separate incidents in 2004, where a female was shot just south of Duck Mountain Provincial Park and a male perished in a trap. In January of this year, a 145 pound male was found dead in a snare set for coyotes near Boissevain.

Watkins says there are known populations of cougars in South Dakota and North Dakota so its not too surprising when they are sighted in our province. He suggests we may see more of the big cats extending their range into Manitoba in the years ahead.

Watkins says there are a number of things you can do if you come upon a cougar: "First and foremost, leave it an avenue of escape. Like most wild animals, they tend to run at the sight of humans so don't try and corner it or approach it in any way. If it's not moving off, you should move off. You should move to a place of safety but stay calm, back away, don't lose eye contact. Cougars are ambush hunters and if they know they are being watched they tend not to attack. If, in the worst case, one looks like it might be threatening, be aggressive back; throw rocks, throw sticks, yell, scream, make yourself look like a threat, not like prey."

Natural Resource Officer and District Supervisor Derek Bobbie says the cougar is a protected species under the Wildlife Act in Manitoba and fines can be handed out for killing the big cat, except when done in self-defence.