Alberta government expands cougar hunting areas, quotas [Video]

Alberta has established six additional areas in the province where cougar hunting is allowed, much to the disappointment of conservationists.

Alberta Parks and Forestry Minister Todd Loewen says Alberta’s cougar population has reached about 2,000, while an ideal population is 1,500.

Loewen says he doesn’t want to see cougars overhunted, but says some “harvesting” is needed, because the big cats are appearing in different habitats.

One of the new designated cougar management areas is Cypress Hills Provincial Park, about 360 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

Alberta ranchers and hunters from the area who spoke with CTV News off camera seemed happy with the move, citing a large cougar population that is greatly reducing the number of mule deer.

However, the change is not sitting well with Ruiping Luo, a conservation specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA).

She says the cougar population must be kept intact, and that even killing one …