A North Saanich couple is mourning a young alpaca that was attacked and killed by a cougar early Thursday.
Anurag Sharma and his wife discovered their beloved pet lying in a field on their one-acre property on Nitinat Road during their usual 6 a.m. walk down their driveway.
The three-year-old white alpaca named Dua lay near the fence and had wounds on her back legs and thighs. Sharma said the attack had likely just occurred, and the cougar could have been scared away as the couple approached the area.
Sharma said there have been several reports of a cougar in their North Saanich neighbourhood over the past month.
The B.C. Conservation Officers Service said it has been notified of the attack and an officer has been in touch with Sharma.
The service said in a statement that it encourages livestock owners to secure livestock in barns and shelters overnight and to install electric fencing to deter predators.
Sharma said the pasture is surrounded by a six-foot-high fence and his three alpacas do have a small barn to use at night. However, the barn door is open and the animals often venture out.
He said the two remaining alpacas — four-year-old Sunshine and three-year-old Dachi — will be relocated to a farm in Langford that has llamas.
Sharma said the animals, who were not harmed, will return when the couple moves into a larger, six-acre property in North Saanich later this year.
Sharma said Dua will be missed — she was a fixture along Nitinat Road, where she was curious to see people and their pets passing by.
“Dua was more than just an alpaca — she was a gentle soul, full of curiosity, warmth and grace,” he wrote in an email.
“With her soft humming and big expressive eyes, she brought calm and joy to everyone who met her. She loved basking in the sun, nibbling grass near the fence and quietly watching the world go by. She had a quiet presence that made the farm feel whole.”
Sharma called Dua “our little heartbeat in the pasture, always staying close to her herd, always gentle, always kind.
For tips and resources about dealing with cougars, go to WildSafeBC.com.
Cougar conflicts can be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. The Conservation Officers Service said it will respond as necessary to ensure public safety.
