Ashley Leung, a 20-year-old resident of Calgary's northwest Rocky Ridge neighbourhood, captured a photo of a cougar lounging between two homes in the early hours of July 10. The sighting occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Rocky Ridge Green N.W., as Leung and her boyfriend were returning from a trip to Hong Kong.
Resident Describes the Encounter
Leung said she is accustomed to seeing wildlife in the area, including bobcats, coyotes, and even moose, but this was her first cougar sighting. 'My boyfriend caught a glimpse of it moving toward where we took photos of it, we saw a big figure going across the street,' she said. The big cat sought darkness between two homes, and Leung captured the image using her cellphone camera from inside their vehicle. 'We were pretty okay with it, we were in a car and I thought it was cute,' she added. 'It was sitting there like a house cat when they tuck their feet in.'
Community Reaction and Concerns
Following the sighting, residents expressed concerns on a neighbourhood Facebook page, particularly for small pets. One resident warned, 'Watch your pups. This thing will have little to no deterrent if it feels like grabbing your smaller dog from you whilst still on leash and there will be nothing you can do about it.' Another woman noted that cougars are common on Vancouver Island, where she once lived. 'I am shocked that its come by our community,' she said.
Wildlife Officials Respond
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials reported receiving multiple calls about cougar sightings in the neighbourhood early Friday morning, including one from a person arriving home from the Stampede grounds. It remains unclear what action, if any, is being taken regarding the cougar. Wildlife experts note that cougars are attracted by small pets but are generally afraid of humans.
In May 2025, Fish and Wildlife issued a warning after repeated cougar sightings in the subdivision of Harmony, just west of Calgary. Anyone encountering a cougar is advised to make noise and appear as large as possible.
