A report of a large cougar wandering in Surrey's Cougar Creek Park Saturday morning prompted police to warn the public to stay away from the area while a search was conducted.
Efforts to locate the cat, however, were unsuccessful.
According to a news release issued just after noon Saturday, Surrey RCMP received a call at 11 a.m. Aug. 20 to advise of a sighting in a west Newton residential neighbourhood near 68 Avenue and 121 Street.
Police and conservation officers secured the scene and conducted foot patrols. While they spoke with other park visitors who reported seeing the cougar, officials found no evidence of the predator during their search and the park was reopened, an RCMP spokesperson said Monday.
Surrey conservation officials could not be reached by Peace Arch News deadline Monday. However, in an interview with PAN earlier this year, conservation officer Sgt. Chris Doyle advised anyone who encounters a cougar not to run from the animal. Instead, people should make themselves look big, pick up a stick and back away, he said.
To report a concern with wildlife, call 1-877-952-7277.