Nanaimo RCMP have shot a cougar at a Nanaimo dock.

According to police, the animal was shot at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday after officers were called about a complaint of a cougar climbing through boats and the boat sheds at Nanaimo Yacht Club, located 400 Stewart Ave. on the shoreline of Newcastle Channel.

Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the cat was shot twice while it was in the water.

鈥淚t was climbing through boats and it was also seen around the fish [cleaning] station as well,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淏ased on what they saw and based on reports that a cougar had been seen in or around Newcastle Island, our members thought it was prudent and taking into consideration public safety, they were required to destroy the animal.鈥�

The animal鈥檚 body was retrieved this morning by B.C. conservation officers at 11:30 a.m.

Acting sergeant Stuart Bates, B.C. conservation officer, said given that the cougar, a young male, was in the water, tranquilizing it was not an option, because the tranquilizer drug takes about 20 minutes to take affect and there is a high risk of the animal falling in the water and drowning. Also, police do not have tranquilizer equipment.

Bates was on Newcastle Island on Tuesday investigating cougar sightings and said there is a high likelihood the cougar shot was the one spotted on the island.

鈥淚t鈥檚 most likely,鈥� Bates said. 鈥淚t is possible that it wasn鈥檛, but it鈥檚 also possible that, because it鈥檚 a young male about two years old, sometimes when young males disperse, brothers, they hang out together for a little bit, so we鈥檙e going to hedge our bets and leave our traps out at Newcastle Island for a little bit. Guys are over there checking them just right now and we鈥檒l leave them set just for a little bit just to make sure.鈥�

Bates, who collected the shot cat鈥檚 body Wednesday, said young male cougars leave their mothers at about 20 months of age.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the outcome we wanted, but talking to the police, they really didn鈥檛 have much choice,鈥� he said.

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