District outlines safety protocols following cougar sighting near Coquitlam school
A Metro Vancouver school district provided details of its safety protocols following warnings from local officials of a cougar sighting near an elementary school.
School District No. 43, in Coquitlam, is aware of warning signs put up near Riverview Park Elementary School.
The signs were put up by the city and warn there's a cougar in the area, but a spokesperson said Wednesday that the cougar has not been seen on school grounds.
A city spokesperson said the first sighting was near Riverview Park on May 15. The cougar was seen again two days later.
The city put up signs warning those who live in the area, and is monitoring for additional reports.
Safety protocols are in place in all school districts in the event of a wildlife sighting on or near school property, the Coquitlam district said.
Schools regularly hold "shelter in place" drills, meaning students need to stay inside the school and windows and exterior doors should be closed.
In the event that the shelter-in-place protocol is activated – which would include wildlife and other environmental hazards – students would likely be expected to continue their school work.
Even if the school hasn't activated the protocol, supervision is increased when there's been a sighting in the neighbourhood of the school, the district said, particularly near wooded areas or on adjacent properties.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service told CTV News that wildlife – including cougar – sightings are not uncommon inside city limits because of the abundance of green spaces and streams. Animals also use paths cut for power lines to travel.
There have been no reports of aggressive cougars in the area, but BCCOS is working closely with the city and monitoring calls.
Wildlife experts in B.C. say those who encounter a cougar should stop and stay calm. They should maintain eye contact and try to look big, making loud and assertive noises while backing away slowly.
WildsafeBC says people should not turn their backs or run, and should fight back in the event of an attack.
According to the City of Coquitlam, all reported attacks have involved dogs, so pets should be kept indoors at night, and leashed at all times.
Cougar sightings should be reported to the provincial Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.