Your Neighbour's RV Just Got a Cougar Tenant
Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Except, perhaps, for Lorelei Scott in Parksville, who, upon hearing a "great big rustle" under her RV, assumed it was raccoons. Raccoons, you see, are quite common here. But no, what she found resting beneath her mobile abode was a cougar. A rather large cougar, I imagine, looking for a spot of shade or perhaps just a bit of peace and quiet, much like the rest of us. It’s certainly a conversation starter, isn't it?
Well, here's the thing about living on Vancouver Island: nature isn't just in the parks or out on the Galloping Goose Trail. It's often right in your driveway, or, in this case, under your RV. Lorelei has lived in that Parksville RV park for four years, and while wildlife sightings are expected, a cougar taking up residence directly beneath your living space is a step beyond the usual deer munching on your rhododendrons in Oak Bay. It speaks to that wild edge of the island, that reminder that even in our most settled areas, the ancient forests and their inhabitants are never truly far.
### What This Means for Island Life
* **Proximity to Wilderness:** Even in established communities like Parksville, we're sharing space with creatures much larger and wilder than we often remember.
* **A Shift in Perception:** It's a gentle nudge, perhaps, to remember that the island isn't just quaint tea shops and gardens. It's also a place where cougars decide your RV looks like a good spot for an afternoon nap.
* **Island Serenity, With Teeth:** This kind of event, while unsettling, does ground us in the unique reality of our home. It's a reminder that even our "post-haste" existence is deeply intertwined with the natural world.
For those of us in Victoria, while a cougar under an RV might seem like a Parksville problem, it's a whisper of the wild that runs through the whole island. It reminds you to keep an eye out, even when you're just enjoying the float planes landing in the Inner Harbour or strolling through James Bay.
Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk, Victoria.
You should hear how much coffee they go through discussing things like this on the morning show — catch it live at mornings.live.