Photo: A file photo of a cougar.

A BC conservation officer has confirmed what he believes is a credible sighting of a cougar in an Oliver neighbourhood Sunday evening. 

"We got a call around 9:30 p.m., a woman said she had seen a cougar on her neighbour's roof," said Dave Cox, who is an officer based out of Penticton. 

When Cox arrived in the area near Tucelnuit Drive and Eastside Road, the cougar was gone. Since sometimes animals are misidentified, he interviewed witnesses about the size and behaviour of the animal, which were consistent with a cougar. 

"[They] said it jumped off the back of the residence," Cox said. "We've had no issues since, no livestock issues, no pet issues." 

There has been chatter about a cougar in the area in the Oliver Loop Facebook group. Cox said it's not uncommon for cougars to enter residential areas here in the South Okanagan.

"It's not something to be totally alarmed about," Cox said. "Use safe pet practices, walk dogs on leashes." 

He added that the conservation office should be the first call when a cougar is sighted.

"So we can do a lot of prevention and keep people safe, and the cougar safe too," Cox said. 

The number to call is 1-877-952-7277.