Sutherland secondary students are being warned to walk in pairs in the wooded areas near the school after a cougar was spotted in the area earlier this week.
A woman living near East 21st Street and Highway 1 reported the animal to conservation officers just after midnight Wednesday. The animal reportedly appeared in a park area where she and a companion were walking before vanishing again into the darkness.
It showed no signs of aggression, according to officials, but they chose to issue an the alert just in case.
It was more a diligence thing, said Dave Cox, an officer with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. We just called the school to inform them . . . there was potentially a cat in the area and that the children should walk in pairs, and if they can be picked up by parents to do that.
He emphasized the incident isnt cause for serious concern.
Were just getting the awareness out there so that if people do have an encounter, theyre ready to go, its not a shock, said Cox.
The Sutherland warning came three days after a Westlynn Block Watch member reported a cougar in a back yard just over a kilometre away in the 1400-block of Appin Road.
Anyone who encounters the animal should stay calm, said Cox.
If theres no predatory behaviour, just back away slowly the way you came in, make yourself look large, and if youre with people, pair up, he said.
To report a cougar sighting, call the B.C. Conservation officer service at 1-877-952-7277.
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