Caught on tape: Cougar attacks deer in backyard of Alberta home

A Coleman, Alta. family on vacation in Edmonton got the surprise of their life when their backyard security system sent a motion alert, showing a deer being attacked by a cougar — live on camera.

A warning – this story includes video of the attack which may be disturbing for some viewers.

“When I saw that video, I went and shared it with all my cousins, I was like, ‘Holy this is awesome’ — it was like really cool,” said resident Rolland Haven.

“One of the cougars came in front of our shed, over our rock wall, and then one came in the other side of the yard and while the deer was sleeping, one of them went and attacked it and got it,” he explained. “And even if it did have a chance, it wouldn’t have run away because the other one was there — they are really smart creatures.”

The attack was fascinating to 15-year-old Rolland, but it came as more of a shock to his dad.

“You know the animals are there, but you don’t ever see them,” Derek Haven, a Coleman business owner, told CityNews. “So when we saw that in our own backyard, it was kind of scary.”

This isn’t the first time the Haven’s backyard has seen wildlife activity.

“Not cougars, but we have seen deer, we have had the odd elk,” said Rolland. “Last year, we actually had a female moose that walked right on top of our Lego brick wall there.”

Derek understands the risks involved with living in a mountain town, but this recent encounter has left him worried for his four-year-old son who plays in their backyard.

“We can take more security measures, put up fences and stuff, but you know when we are outside, we have kids, you know they always have to be monitored so its more about being cautious and taking those measures because those animals will always be there,” Derek said.

Rolland feels we shouldn’t be scared of these wild animals.

“Nature is powerful and can be dangerous but it’s also something that if we don’t have in our lives, we would probably get mentally ill, so just when you are out in nature or going for a walk in the forest, always do a shoulder check,” he said.