A bear wishing to feast on salmon provided a diversion for Scott Creek middle students and instruction on how close nature is to their school.
On Monday afternoon, a bear was spotted high in a cottonwood tree in a wetland area near Scott Creek middle school. Principal Rob Foot confirmed the bear was spotted at about 1:30 p.m. and the Coquitlam RCMP and urban wildlife coordinator were called to the scene.
"We were hoping the bear would be gone before dismissal," Foot said, in an email, but when it became clear the bear wasn't leaving, the final school bell was delayed until police arrived and students were instructed to use alternate walking routes. "The students were great," Foot added.
Drake Stephens, the city's wildlife coordinator, said the bear was looking to feed on some salmon when it was scared and scaled the tree. It stayed until dark when it was safe to come down.
Students were never in danger and there is a two metre fence separating the sidewalk from the riparian area.
With the heavy rains, the salmon are returning to spawn and streamkeepers are asking people to keep their dogs out of the creeks, and the Coquitlam River. People should also keep a look out for bears coming down to the river to feed, and keep their dogs leashed on local trails.
The return of the salmon also means celebrations and on Sunday, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society held its Salmon Come Home Festival. The Hyde Creek Watershed Society will be hosting its salmon festival Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.
