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Cougar Shot, Killed Near Calgary Hospital

Cougar Killed After Lurking Near Calgary Hospital

Calgary wildlife officers have shot and killed a cougar, after it was spotted lurking around a hospital early Thursday morning.

Police cordoned off two areas near the South Health campus early this morning, after workers at the nearby Marriott Hotel site came across a cougar in the basement of the under-construction building, reports Metro Calgary.

UPDATE - 4:20 p.m.: Officers told Global News the cougar was noticeably on edge when they arrived on scene, which they attributed to adrenalin.

Given that rush of energy, they said, tranquilizers would not have worked..

And while Alberta Justice and Solicitor General spokesman Brendan Cox said wildlife officers had hoped to tranquilize and trap the cougar, he explained the cats can also become agitated if hit with a tranquilizer dart and could run off.

Cox said officers were checking reports of a second big cat in the area.

"One cougar has been destroyed by officers," he said. "The other one, we had reported sightings of it but officers haven't confirmed those sightings yet.

"We are not sure 100 per cent if there is a second cougar."

Fish and Wildlife officers responded to the scene shortly after 7:30 a.m.

Det. Jack Russell told the National Post the cougar was also spotted laying in the grass outside a hospital entrance, "licking its paws, enjoying the morning sunshine."

A number of doors to the hospital were blocked off, but ambulances were still able to arrive at and leave the hospital.

The Marriott Hotel construction site was also evacuated, according to Metro.

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