Students of two north-end Nanaimo schools will be able to play outside again after a cougar was sighted in the area Friday morning.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools kept students from Frank J. Ney and nearby École Hammond Bay elementary schools indoors after the reported sighting, enacting a “shelter-in-place” order. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service was called and gave the all-clear at around 11:30 a.m.
Under the shelter-in-place, students are kept indoors, but aren’t locked down, said Dale Burgos, school district spokesman.
“Shelter-in-place is very different than a hold-and-secure, for example,” said Burgos. “We don’t lock the doors, but we do keep everybody inside, so that’s the only similarity. So everyone stays inside, classes remain, business as usual. No kids are allowed to go outside.”
#BCConservation investigated the area near Frank J. Ney Elementary and has given the all clear. Students will once again be allowed to frolic in the playground.
— School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) (@sd68bc) April 26, 2019
Cougar sighted in the vicinity of Frank J. Ney Elementary school. Students and staff are remaining indoors as a precaution. BC Conservation has been called.
— School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) (@sd68bc) April 26, 2019
Burgos said parents were still allowed to come into the school to pick their children up for appointments during that time.
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