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[UPDATE] Cougar sighting keeps Burnaby students inside

Students at Forest Grove Elementary stayed inside during recess and lunch Monday after the second reported cougar sighting near the school in as many months.

Students at Forest Grove Elementary stayed inside during recess and lunch Monday after the second reported cougar sighting near the school in as many months.

The big cat was apparently sighted near the bottom of Ash Grove Sunday morning, and an email to parents Monday informed them their kids would be kept inside during the school day.

Parents were also asked to review tips on what to do in case of an encounter with a cougar.

The school sent out a similar notice late last month when a parent reported seeing a cougar crossing the Trans Mountain Trail a short distance from where the trail intersects with Underhill Avenue.

Conservation officer James Kelly, however, told the NOW his office hasn’t actually received any first-hand calls about cougar sightings in the neighbourhood.

“We had one come in that was third-hand from that area,” he said.

Kelly said a significant majority of reported cougar sightings turn out to be sightings of other animals – most commonly bobcats, but also coyotes, raccoons and even house cats.

Without speaking to the person who actually saw the animal, he said it’s hard for officers to determine if it was a cougar, and the service is less likely to take action.  

“Just report it to us,” he said, “so we can do a proper follow up and find out what type of animal this is and make sure if the public needs to be given a head’s up or a school needs to be given a head’s up, we can do that immediately.”

Both of the Forest Grove notices about cougars urged community members who think they’ve spotted a cougar to report it to the conservation service before calling the school.

To report sightings of cougars, bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife, call 877-952-7277.

No one was available from Forest Grove Elementary to answer media questions.

Cougar safety

In case of a cougar encounter, the B.C. Conservation Officers Service recommends the following:

  • Stay calm and keep the cougar in view. Pick up children immediately – children frighten easily, and the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack.
  • Keep away from the cougar and tell others to do the same.
  • Bring children and pets inside until the cougar has left.
  • Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape.
  • Make yourself look as large as possible. Keep the cougar in front of you at all times.
  • Never run or turn your back on a cougar. Sudden movement may provoke an attack.
  • If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively. Maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons. Crouch down as little as possible when bending down to pick up things off of the ground.
  • If a cougar attacks, fight back. Convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey. Use anything you can as a weapon. Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes.
  • Phone the Call Centre (1-800-663-9453) if the cougar becomes threatening or aggressive towards people or if you suspect that a cougar is hanging around in a residential neighbourhood or killing pets.