A potential cougar sighting in Oak Bay serves as a reminder the wild cats are common in some areas of Greater Victoria.

A resident reported seeing a cougar in roughly the 1700-block of Beach Drive near Glenlyon Norfolk School early Thursday (June 7) morning.

It was also reported to police and the BC Conservation Service.

Conservation was unable to confirm it was a cougar observed from about 150 metres away and described as the size of a medium dog.

Oak Bay police patrolled the area, but no further sightings were reported.

Both mistaken reports and actual sightings are not common but do occur in more urban areas of Oak Bay, Victoria and Saanich.

VicPD killed a cougar in November 2023 after it was spotted twice in the Selkirk Waterfront neighbourhood.

Victoria police say there were multiple reasons that the cougar was dispatched Tuesday (Nov. 21).

Closer to Oak Bay, in 2015 a cougar led officials on a wild goose chase in James Bay. After being chased through backyards in the 200-blocks of Michigan, Ontario and Superior streets near the legislature for several hours, the cougar was finally tranquilized and taken into care by conservation officers.

Usually encountered near dusk and dawn when cougars are most active, the animals are generally elusive and rarely attack humans, a hungry cougar may come into contact with people during its search for food, In the event of a cougar encounter, WildSafeBC advises picking up any children, acting big and slowly backing away to give the cougar a clear escape route.

If a cougar follows, respond aggressively by making loud noises, maintaining eye contact and grabbing any nearby sticks and rocks to use as weapons. If a cougar attacks, fight back.

To report cougars in conflict, sightings in urban areas, or a cougar showing unusual or aggressive behaviour, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.