Multiple Yellowknife schools enacted protective measures Monday afternoon after a mother bear and three cubs were observed in residential areas near school property.
What happened
Sir John Franklin High School implemented a hold and secure shortly after 2 p.m. when staff were informed the bears were "on or near our campus," the school principal told parents by email. Students and staff remained inside while school administrators and local authorities monitored the situation. By roughly 3:30 p.m., classes had been dismissed and students were seen leaving the building.
Yellowknife Catholic Schools, which administers St. Pat's and Weledeh schools, told parents a mother bear and cubs had been spotted in the area and advised that any students who normally walk home should be collected by a caregiver rather than leave unescorted. School buses continued to run as usual.
Actions taken by schools and authorities
- Sir John Franklin High School placed the building in a hold and secure: exterior doors locked, students and staff remained inside and classes continued until the protocol was lifted.
- St. Pat's and Weledeh asked parents to pick up walking students and prevented unsupervised departures from school grounds.
- The Yellowknife Daycare Association cancelled outdoor play after the mother bear and cubs were seen nearby.
- Wildlife officers have been active in the area and have used non-lethal deterrence to haze the bears in prior sightings.
Department of Environment and Climate Change officials have been monitoring the animals and told media last week that wildlife officers used non-lethal deterrence techniques after the bears were seen near Tin Can Hill green space. Officers said they would continue to monitor and respond to further reports as needed.
"The safety of our students and staff is our priority. Everyone is safely inside the school, and we are working with the appropriate authorities to monitor the situation," the school division said in a message to families.
Where the bears were seen
Parents were told the bears were in the general School Draw neighbourhood and in areas around several schools. The presence of multiple cubs in an urban setting has prompted continued attention from wildlife officers because cubs can stay close to a mother and attract human activity.
| School | Action |
|---|---|
| Sir John Franklin High School | Hold and secure; students kept indoors until monitored safe |
| St. Pat's and Weledeh | Parents asked to pick up walking students; no unescorted departures |
| Local daycare(s) | Outdoor play cancelled |
Community precautions and guidance
Residents are reminded to avoid approaching bears and to secure attractants such as garbage, compost and pet food that can draw wildlife into neighbourhoods. The territorial wildlife emergency line has been provided for sightings and urgent reports.
If you observe bears in Yellowknife, officials request residents call the GNWT wildlife emergency line at 867-446-2073 so officers can assess and respond as required.
The recurrence of sightings over several days has highlighted the challenges communities face when wildlife, particularly females with cubs, use or pass through urban green spaces. Schools and parents have been swift to communicate and adapt routines to prioritise student safety while authorities continue to monitor and respond.
As Yellowknife moves through the busy fall months — when animals adjust movement patterns and people spend more time outdoors — the coordination between schools, caregivers and wildlife officers will remain important to prevent encounters and keep both residents and animals safe.
