Bear spotted in Kanata prompts 5 schools to shelter in place briefly

Students and staff at five schools in Kanata were told to shelter in place Tuesday afternoon after a black bear was spotted in the area.

Ottawa Bylaw said Tuesday morning it had received reports of bear sightings in the west end.

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board spokesperson Darcy Knoll said five schools were told to shelter in place until early afternoon.

"All students and staff were kept inside for school activities and recesses during this time. Based on the advice of police, the Shelter in Place was lifted for schools after 1:30 p.m.," Knoll said.

Ottawa Bylaw said Tuesday evening the bear was most recently spotted on Oakburn Road, behind Glen Cairn Public School. Bylaw, the National Capital Commission and Ottawa police are monitoring the situation, a statement from bylaw director Roger Chapman said.

"We encourage residents who encounter a bear to remain calm and slowly back away while keeping the animal in sight and wait for it to leave. If the bear is in a tree, leave it alone. It is also recommended that anyone with birdfeeders on their property remove them immediately, as they attract bears," Chapman added.

There have been several bear sightings in west Ottawa this spring, including two others this month in Sittsville and Kanata. There was also a bear spotted in Kanata that was killed by police in April. Another bear spotted in west Ottawa in May was safely tranquilized and relocated.