School cries wolf

 
Teachers have armed themselves with whistles and a foghorn after reported sightings of a wolf near the school’s property.

A bus driver for Nor’wester View School spotted what is believed to have been a grey wolf while dropping off the students at the school on Monday. The school notified teachers to be vigilant and not to allow students to be alone without supervision.

Lori Golab, acting principal with Nor’wester View School, said she notified various agencies including the Thunder Bay Police Service and Lakehead Public School Board. She said the school and the board implemented a safety plan to ensure the students were secure.

"We came up with a safety plan and made sure the wolf wasn’t on the property," Golab said. "I talked to the Ministry of Natural Resources and they (confirmed) there are wolves in the area."

Until the perceived threat is over, students arriving at the school at about 8:15 a.m. are taken to the school and supervised by teachers. Before letting the students out for recess, the teachers scan to make sure it is safe for them to go out, Golab said.
"We had a bear issue last year but that’s been it," she said.

Thunder Bay received reports that a wolf attacked a dog last summer.

The MNR was contacted but could not immediately provide comment. Ross Johnston, conservation officer for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, said in an earlier interview about a non-related matter that wolves are opportunistic.

Wolves are cautious around humans and there is a healthy population of wolves in the area, he added.