Update Dec 18, 6pm:
There are varying reports regarding the cheetah photographed yesterday on the summit in Crawford Bay.
In discussion with Conservation, Mainstreet learned they are looking to get in touch with someone who has been reported to be living on the East Shore with potentially 2 captive cheetahs. Conservation and the RCMP can not fully confirm or deny anything at this point as there is no evidence to be found. There has also been no response to their efforts to communicate with the person suspected to be in possession of the two currently unlicensed (in BC) cheetahs.
Snow has covered any tracks of the cheetah from Dec 17, and there was no one to be found at an abandoned residence in Kootenay Bay where authorities were led to by tips. Mainstreet has been contacted and told of a man living in the area with two big cats, but it is only speculation until the animals or the people who own them are accounted for. It must be that others know of this situation and how to best ascertain the safety and well-being of the animals.
If you have any information, please contact Conservation Officer Services at 
1-877-952-7277 FREE.
R. Samantha Istance took this photo on the afternoon of December 17th on the summit between Kootenay Bay and Crawford Bay.
Creston RCMP are asking the public to be on the lookout after residents in the Kootenays spotted an adult cheetah on Thursday.
The big cat was seen wandering alongside Highway 3A, between the small communities of Kootenay Bay and Crawford Bay on the east side of Kootenay Lake, around 4:30 in the afternoon.
Police and BC Conservation Services have been trying to find the animal, but so far have not been able to.
The cheetah does have an orange cloth collar, but officials say the public shouldn’t treat it as a pet if they see it.
“Until the animal is located people are asked to be vigilant while outdoors, especially with their small children and animals. BC Conservation Services advises that a cheetah is typically shy and less aggressive then other members of the Felidae Pantherineae (large cat) family,” says Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
“Regardless of it having a collar on, it should be considered and respected as a wild animal. Public safety along with the animal’s welfare are paramount at this time.”
- If you see the cheetah, you’re asked not approach, but phone 911 or the Controlled Alien Species Unit of the British Columbia Conservation Service at (877)-952-7277.
4 Responses
EPIC!
Far from Epic!! This is a travesty for godsakes. Who in their right mind would want to bring an extremely beautiful animal like this by uprooting it from it’s environment in Africa to bring it to a place with the exact opposite environment. Not to mention these cats are on the endangered list for christ sakes.
The really sad thing about this is there is a very good chance this animal will not be captured or if they find it, it will have died from exposure to this weather or hit by a car….I hope however this plays out, the idiot(s) who are responsible for such a careless and moronic act are found. Then I hope they charge them and throw the book at them with the highest punishment that can possibly be passed down by a judge!
Although i agree it should not be allowed to have endangered species from other countries in canada, it is currently not illegal to possess an endangered species from elsewhere. It’s only illegal to posess an endangered species from Canada. Makes you think twice about our laws. Not a very global mindset hey? At the most they might be charged with endangering the public.
Poor cheetah
No mention in the media of whose cheetah this is? Surely it’s been reported missing..
Maybe it will find a cougar mate and start a family of cheetars 😉