UPDATE:
BC Conservation officers have euthanized a cougar found in Kelowna last night.
"A thorough assessment revealed that the animal was in poor condition and not a candidate for relocation. The cougar was humanely euthanized," says the conservation service.
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ORIGINAL:
Humans weren't the only ones seeking shelter from the snow storm that blanketed the Okanagan last night.
The Kelowna RCMP received a call at At 8:49 p.m. Sunday night from nervous residents of an apartment building in the 2100 block of Cooper Rd, that a large female cougar was resting in a decorative brick alcove just outside themain entrance doors.
"The tenants wisely kept their distance, and stayedinside the building until police arrived," read an RCMP press release.
"While RCMP monitored the situation, the B.C. Conservation OfficerService was notified and two Conservation Officers attended to capture the convalescing cat."
Using a tranquilizer gun, the cougar was darted.
She made a run for it but didn't get far before succumbing to the sleeping agent. She was loaded into the Conservation Officers' truck and taken away to be released into the wild upon her recovery.
"Clearly this situation ended in the best possible way", said Const. Steve Holmes.
"People were prudent in leaving the Cougar alone and the Conservation Officers did a terrific job in dealing with this beautifulbut dangerous animal, protecting both her and the public in the process".