SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Municipal enforcement and wildlife officers with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) closed Parker Park yesterday after a cougar was spotted in the area.

Nancy Jacobs-Young, operator of Nana's Playschool, collects two of the youngsters in her care to make a swift exit from the Parker Park playground after being informed by Yellowknifer the park was closed due to a cougar sighting. - John Curran/NNSL photo

This was the second sighting in the city this week after a cyclist reported seeing one of the dangerous predators along Fiddler's Road.

Though no one would comment on the most recent sighting prior to press time, earlier this week Raymond Bourget, senior ENR wildlife officer for the North Slave region, said his department didn't think there was a threat to public safety and cougars are not spotted often around Yellowknife.

"It's not a common occurrence," he said.

The City of Yellowknife did issue a press release Thursday confirming the second sighting.

"Please take precaution and note that pets and small children should especially be kept away from the area," it read.

A live trap has been set behind the ball diamonds and ENR has advised residents not to go near it.

If the cougar is caught it will be assessed for health and behaviour and may be relocated, said Bourget.

Little league ball games have been cancelled at Parker Field.

In B.C. and parts of Alberta, where cougars are much more common, the big cats regularly prey on dogs and cats left unattended outside and will occasionally attack unsuspecting hikers.

While those officers responding to the situation offered anyone trying to enter the park via Banke Crescent plenty of warning about the potential danger in the area, along the walkway leading in to the playground from Finlayson Drive North there was no indication anything was out of the ordinary.

When Yellowknifer entered the park from that direction, several young children were there under the care of Nancy Jacobs-Young, operator of Nana's Playschool.

"OK guys, we're going to get going back now," she told the group of about a half-dozen youngsters as soon as she learned of the cougar.

She was more than a little disappointed the walkway hadn't been closed and that no warnings were issued given the circumstances.

"As long as we know, then we can scoot," she said.

News of the predator's sighting didn't surprise her much.

"I heard there was one seen close to the park this past winter," she said. "It's somewhat understandable, we're really infringing on their territory."

- with files from Cara Loverock