DEATH NOTICE - Cougar Attack Kills Nanaimo BC Resident Patrick Michael Sullivan

This is Carla Sullivan, sister of Patrick Sullivan. I am writing for Patrick's friends and family. I am sorry to report that Patrick Michael Sullivan has been killed in a cougar attack on Vancouver Island. The news article is below.

-Carla

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The first cougar attacks of the year have taken the life of Nanaimo BC resident named Patrick Michael Sullivan, as he was walking off his Mt. Benson Street property.

16 cougars from the nearby Bowen Park attacked Sullivan and dragged him into the bushes where he was devoured by the hungry cats.

Wildlife officials say this is not uncommon in Nanaimo during the month of January. "This happens every year in Nanaimo. Those God damned cougars come down from the hills and eat everything in sight. Nothing is safe. Not even the police."

Wildlife officers have stepped up patrols in the Mt. Benson St. area to ward off further attacks.

Last year, 450 people in Nanaimo were killed by gangs of roving cougars who attacked and ate everything from house cats to parrots.

In 2007, lion tamers from west Africa were flown to Nanaimo to help deal with the wild cats. 14 of those lion tamers suffered serious injuries and 9 were killed trying to round up the dangers beasts.

Tom Collins of the BC Ministry of Wildlife said the year 2008 is expected to be the worst yet for cougar attacks in Nanaimo. Collins stated the snowpack in the mountains surrounding Nanaimo is especially high this year, forcing the cougars to seek food at lower elevations. Collins said, "The snow's too deep up there for the cougars to dig for rabbits, hence Sullivan..."

Funeral arrangements for Patrick Michael Sullivan are being made and will be held Sam's Funeral Home on Newcastle Street in Nanaimo.

Donations to the World Wildlife Federation are requested in lieu of flowers.

-Scott Simpson, Nanaimo Star Weekly ©