Students at Forest Grove Elementary stayed inside during recess and lunch Monday after the second reported cougar sighting near the school in as many months.

The big cat was apparently sighted near the bottom of Ash Grove Sunday morning, and an email to parents Monday informed them their kids would be kept inside during the school day.

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Parents were also asked to review tips on what to do in case of an encounter with a cougar.

The school sent out a similar notice late last month when a parent reported seeing a cougar crossing the Trans Mountain Trail a short distance from where the trail intersects with Underhill Avenue.

Conservation officer James Kelly, however, told the NOW his office hasn’t actually received any first-hand calls about cougar sightings in the neighbourhood.

“We had one come in that was third-hand from that area,” he said.

Kelly said a significant majority of reported cougar sightings turn out to be sightings of other animals – most commonly bobcats, but also coyotes, raccoons and even house cats.

Without speaking to the person who actually saw the animal, he said it’s hard for officers to determine if it was a cougar, and the service is less likely to take action.

“Just report it to us,” he said, “so we can do a proper follow up and find out what type of animal this is and make sure if the public needs to be given a head’s up or a school needs to be given a head’s up, we can do that immediately.”

Both of the Forest Grove notices about cougars urged community members who think they’ve spotted a cougar to report it to the conservation service before calling the school.

To report sightings of cougars, bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife, call 877-952-7277.

No one was available from Forest Grove Elementary to answer media questions.

Cougar safety

In case of a cougar encounter, the B.C. Conservation Officers Service recommends the following: