Cochrane Fish and Wildlife officials hunt for poacher who killed cougar

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are looking to speak to the driver and occupants of a truck that was spotted near the location where a cougar was shot and its remains left last month in an area west of Cochrane, Alta.

Wildlife officials say the animal ajuvenile that weighed around 45 kilograms was killed the afternoon of Feb. 21 just south of Ghost River.

The poacher left a pair of green and brown work gloves. Fish and Wildlife officials say a campfire was also left burning in the area.

Officers are looking forthe driver and occupants of a 2009 or newer black Dodge Ram 1500 sport crew cab.

The truck has LED headlights and an Addictive Desert Designs stealth front bumper with an LED light bar.

Officers said the driver and occupants are considered persons of interest.

Cougar season was closed at the time the animal was killed. It's also illegal in Alberta to abandon the skin of a mountain lion that has been hunted.

"Poaching is obviously illegal and dangerous, and it takes away wildlife that would otherwise remain part of the province's environment," saidFish and Wildlife officer Mark Hoskin in a statement.

If identified, the poacher could face a fine of $50,000 or one year in jail.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or file a report online.If the information leads to charges, the reporter may be eligible for a financial reward.

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