Habituated cougar that prowled B.C. park for food tracked and shot dead

COQUITLAM, B.C. – A cougar has been shot and killed by conservation officers at a popular park in Metro Vancouver.

The big cat was tracked overnight after Coquitlam River Park in Coquitlam, B.C., was closed as a precaution on Wednesday afternoon.

Trails were taped off and warning signs were posted following repeated sightings of an overly bold animal.

Insp. Chris Doyle confirms a cougar was shot Thursday morning as it climbed into a tree.

He says it was showing signs of aggressiveness and was potentially looking at humans as a source of food so the decision was made to kill it rather than try to relocate it.

The park remains closed while conservation officers confirm there are no other cougars prowling through the same neighbourhoods. (CKNW, News1130)