3 cougars shot

Photo: She Hunts Productions

More cougar trouble on Vancouver Island. The province now says three cougars were destroyed after killing farm livestock near the Courtenay-Cumberland interchange on the weekend.

An island property owner called RCMP after one of his lambs was killed and the cougars were also seen chasing after pigs. A farm donkey sustained a minor scratch to its ear, likely from defending other livestock.

When RCMP officers arrived on scene they found two young cougars still on the premises and killed both of them.

The third cougar, believed to be the mother was still at large but it was found the next day on an access road about 120 metres from the property.

The cougar was acting bold and refused to leave the property even when the officer approached, letting the officer and dogs get as close as 20 metres.

"This behaviour was not normal, and the CO had little doubt this cougar was involved with the livestock conflict last night," the ministry said in a statement.

The officer killed the cougar, which was confirmed to be an adult female.

-with files from CTV Vancouver Island