Fishing guide Graham Nielsen had seen wolves and bears swim between islands around Nootka Sound but never a cougar, and never at such a clip as he witnessed last week.

On July 15, the operator of Nielsen’s Lodge in Tahsis — a village on Vancouver Island‘s west coast, about three hours from Campbell River — took three guests fishing on his 24-foot boat. After reeling in four halibut and eight salmon, they motored back in the late afternoon.

As their boat turned into the gap between Nootka Island and Vancouver Island, the group spotted something in the water.

After some speculation that it may have been an otter, it quickly became apparent that it was in fact a large cat.

While the cougar may looking non-threatening as it’s swimming, you still don’t want to approach, pet, touch or rescue it, says B.C. Conservation Officer Dave Cox. “Just like them, we’re super curious” but the best thing you can do is leave the animal alone.

According to Cox, swimming is a very common behaviour of cougars because they’re territorial, often search for new areas to inhabit and new sources of prey. He says it’s rare for people to get a glimpse of a cougar let alone getting to watch one swim.