Wolf spotted near downtown Victoria
Police advise residents to keep children and pets inside
Police say a wolf was spotted in the James Bay neighbourhood near downtown Victoria Saturday afternoon.
Officers patrolled area parks and asked people to keep their children and pets inside.
Police say an animal control officer saw the animal, and confirmed it is a wolf.
Video submitted to CHEK News in Victoria appears to show the animal trotting down a neighbourhood street.
Viewer video appears to show the wolf spotted in James Bay today heading down Michigan Street towards Montreal Street. Conservation officers say it might be a well-known wolf who lives on Discovery and Chatham Islands. Full story: <a href="https://t.co/VJEeT5Bl5c">https://t.co/VJEeT5Bl5c</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JamesBayWolf2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JamesBayWolf2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/c5HgbxQnU0">pic.twitter.com/c5HgbxQnU0</a>
—@CHEK_NewsAround 6:45 p.m. Victoria police said it had received no new reports of sightings but asked anyone who sees the animal to call 911. It also advised pet owners to keep their animals inside overnight.
According to Parks B.C., it is best to stay as far away from wolves as possible.
Anyone who spots a wolf should begin scare tactics if it gets any closer than 100 m. This includes raising one's arms and waving them in the air, using noise makers and throwing sticks.
If a wolf displays aggressive behaviour, anyone nearby should back away slowly and not turn their back on the wolf.
ALERT | A confirmed wolf sighting has been made in James Bay. Patrol officers & BC Conservation officers are responding. Follow this link for info on what to do if you spot it: <a href="https://t.co/WrKiZsoGxc">https://t.co/WrKiZsoGxc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://t.co/lqZzjD1dMb">pic.twitter.com/lqZzjD1dMb</a>
—@vicpdcanada