Students at a school in the Greater Toronto Area are being kept indoors this week after a coyote was seen on the property, while animal services staff work on encouraging the canine to move away.
Parents of children attending Our Lady of Peace Separate School in Brampton, Ont., received a letter from the principal last Thursday about a coyote that was seen on school grounds the night before and throughout the day.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board said students at the school will stay indoors for the rest of this week as a precautionary measure until March Break, which is next week, begins.
"Our school staff has been directed to be extra vigilant and both students and staff have been instructed to report any sightings immediately," spokesperson Bruce E. Campbell said Tuesday.
Campbell said the board was in touch with Brampton's animal services department, which was working on solutions.
"There is concern expressed by a number of parents, but I think they also understand that ... we are in the education business and not the animal trapping or relocation business," Campbell said.
The City of Brampton said animal services staff have been going to the area and have met with school administration several times after the sighting was first reported on March 1.
"Brampton Animal Services’ priority is ensuring the safety of the local community, including the nearby school, as well as the wildlife," the city wrote in a statement.
Animal services staff will continue visiting the area on a daily basis to apply "aversion conditioning" to help move coyotes, which are currently in mating season, from the area. That involves techniques such as making loud noises and throwing small rocks, tennis balls or other small objects toward, but not directly at, coyotes.
The City of Brampton said while coyotes can be seen throughout the year, they become more active during some seasons, including winter.
"Winter marks denning season for coyotes and during the summer season, coyote pups are just starting to venture out to learn and explore with mom or dad nearby," the city said.
Those encountering coyotes should stay calm and not turn their backs or flee, and should make loud noises and stand tall and wave their arms if the canines continue to approach, the city said.
Amanda Barrett, a supervisor at Brampton Animal Services, called on individuals to avoid feeding coyotes, intentionally or unintentionally.
“It is not unusual to see a coyote walking down the street especially if your home is near a wooded area, ravine, or new development," she wrote in a statement.
“If you are concerned, give us a call!”
The sighting outside Brampton school comes about a month after several cities in Ontario asked individuals to remain vigilant during coyote mating season and report sightings of the animals in residential areas.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 7, 2023.
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press
