B.C. park still closed after cougar attacks child

QUESNEL, B.C. - A provincial park in central B.C. remained closed Wednesday following a cougar attack, the first reported incident in at least 25 years.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said it has set up snares in Pinnacles Park after a team were unsuccessful in tracking down the animal.

"The predator attack team has left the area," said officer Michael Krause. "The snares are left in the immediate vicinity of the attack and, if there is no activity, we expect to reopen the park on Friday."

A local woman and her two sons - aged five and seven - were walking through the park Saturday when a cougar jumped out of the forest and attacked the older boy.

"It happened very quickly and it was gone very quickly," said Krause.

The woman does not remember fighting the animal off her son, said Krause, adding it's very rare that a cougar would just leave once it was "focused on prey."

The boy suffered scratches to his face, cheek, ear and back. He was taken to hospital for stitches.

The service has issued a warning to local residents about possible cougar attacks this summer.

"There's nothing you can do about prevention but something you can do if you encounter a cougar at any point in time, especially with children,'' said Krause.

"Basically, make yourself large. Mark sure the cougar understands that you're a human, not prey. And fight like hell if it does attack.''