Written by: Eric Hattum, WestCentralOnline.com

Conservation officers in Saskatchewan are aware of reported cougar sightings near Clearwater Lake Regional Park and are continuing to monitor reports of cougar activity in the area. The regional park is located roughly halfway between Rosetown and Swift Current.

In a release, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Community Safety reminded residents that cougars are a natural part of Saskatchewan’s landscape.

The ministry says it does not actively monitor cougar populations. Cougars have large home ranges, and animals observed in an area may be moving through established territory or juveniles searching for territory of their own.

Cougars are primarily nocturnal, meaning sightings are most likely to occur at night or during the early morning hours. Their diet consists mainly of deer, but they may also prey on smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons.

Provincial regulations prohibit feeding cougars, as they can become dangerous when habituated to and conditioned to human food sources.

The ministry recommends staying alert to your surroundings, making noise while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife and keeping pets on a leash. Anyone who encounters a cougar and believes there is an imminent risk to human safety should call 911.

To report an encounter with aggressive wildlife or a situation where public safety is at risk, call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters line at 1-800-667-7561.