‘Cougar’ sighting in Vancouver turns out to be escaped house cat

It was a wild morning in Vancouver’s Shaughnessy neighbourhood Wednesday after reports spiraled about a cougar spotted in the urban area, close to several elementary schools.

Vancouver police confirmed they had received reports from concerned residents about a wild animal on the loose near Granville Street and King Edward Avenue around 11 a.m..

It led to major confusion online, with many questioning how a cougar could possibly end up in such a busy traffic and residential neighbourhood.

However, the cougar concerns were unfounded.

Vancouver police provided an update shortly after, saying the cat was not a cougar, but a savannah cat.

Savannah cats are a cross between a serval, a wild cat native to Africa, and a domesticated cat.

The animal had escaped from a home and police say officers were able to capture it and return it to its owner just after noon.

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The BC Conservation Service says it helped the VPD catch the animal and reunite it with its family. It adds savannah cats are not regulated under B.C.’s Controlled Alien Species regulations.

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