Cougar on Bowen Island proving polarizing [Video]

After hearing a strange shrieking noise outside of her home one evening last month, Bowen Island resident Jani Whittaker did what all Bowen Island residents do when they’re looking for answers: she took to Facebook.

Ever since a cougar made its way from the mainland to the island almost three months ago, the community’s social media pages have been awash with questions about sightings, sounds and strange goings on. Some residents have posted warnings of deer carcasses spotted on the side of the road; others have described hearing strange caterwauling in the night.

The feline’s arrival in June marked the first time a cougar had visited Bowen in 20 years, and its presence immediately became a point of contention for many of the island’s outspoken residents.

“It’s pretty much 50/50 on the island at the moment,” said Whittaker.

“Lots of people are of the ‘kill it, have done with it’ …