Cougar shot at South Health Campus the 'appropriate action,' finds review

AlbertaFish and Wildlife officers were justified in shooting a cougar at the South Health Campus in Calgary in September, according toa government review.

The killing sparked a debate among people who felt the big cat could have been tranquillized, but the review says shooting the animalwas the bestresponse to ensure public safety in an urban area.

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Ittook Fish and Wildlife officers almost two hours to respond to the incident because of staffing issues.

"Fish and Wildlife Officers initial plan was to immobilize the cougar using tranquillizing equipment," said the review.

"Police vehicles were parked to form a funnel to channel the cougar to the south of the building and away from the populated residential area if it ran. The CPS tactical team was positioned on fire department ladder trucks for backup if required."

However,the report notes theofficer with thetranquillizergun was the first to pullthe triggerbut the safety was on.

Another officer thought the tranquillizerhad malfunctionedand shot thecougar, but it only knocked the animal down.

"The malfunction was attributed to officer error," said the review.

A third officer then shot the cougar in the head and killed it.

"The review foundeuthanizingthe cougar was the appropriate action to ensure public safety, but steps must be taken to ensure the proper tools and tactics are used in all similar situations in the future," said a post on the Alberta Justice blog.

• Read the full review below. On mobile? Click here