Wednesday, June 13, 2007

And you think the feral cats in your garden are a problem!


Roosevelt School has a cat problem and it’s a problem that has them providing special warnings to students and much more attention to the surrounding wooded areas around the school. A couple of cougar sightings in the area last week have the school and area around the school a little on edge.

The Daily News provided the details on the sightings and what the School’s plans are to deal with the unwanted visitors.

CAUTION AT SCHOOL FOLLOWING COUGAR REPORTS
By Christian Webber
The Daily News
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Page One

Principal Steve Riley from Roosevelt school is taking a cautious approach after reports from around Roosevelt Park of two cougar sightings, one on Thursday and one on Friday morning.

The reports came in from two individuals who said they witnessed the cougars and one who witnessed tracks in the area of the hospital on Saturday night.

“We’ve taken it pretty serious, we’ve stopped the kids going anywhere near the bush,” said Riley.

He said he reported the sightings to the police and the conservation officers in Terrace. He fears it may take another sighting to bring them out.

“Wolves are one thing, cougars are another,” said Riley.

He said there are often wolf alerts but cougars are something new.

He said the cougars were sighted Thursday and Friday morning, leaving the hospital area and going toward to the school

As part of our precautions at the school, staff are talking to parents and kids, and the kids a re being more carefully monitored during breaks.

“Normally, kids play in that area, but they are supposed to stay away from any cover, when you’ve got kids you’re being ultra cautious,” said Riley.

Yesterday was the first time the older kids were allowed back into the park across the road.

Riley said the wildlife people told them that these animals have a large range and that they may be moving on.

Constable Steve Richards said they had a couple of reports, but none of the members have seen any evidence of the cougars.

Richards said the RCMP also referred the cases to the conservation officers. Police only respond to calls that needs immediate action.

Riley recommended that people not leave to people small children and dogs outside unattended if wolves, cougars or bears are in the area.

No comments: