Coyotes part of the urban world

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on October 17, 2024.

Herald file photo by Ian Martens A coyote basks on the sunny side of a coulee while surveying the river valley from above Indian Battle Park.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Early morning visitors to Nicholas Sheran Lake on several occasions recently have spotted a coyote walking before dawn at the east end of the popular westside park, traversing south from Columbia Boulevard.

On Tuesday, the animal was seen going toward the trees that form a boundary between the school grounds and the park. Visitors to other parks and areas in the city have also witnessed coyotes in the urban environment.

Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services says coyotes are abundant throughout Alberta. The animals are excellent scavengers and hunters and can become habituated to people with access to food attractants including pet food, smaller pets and compost.

The provincial government website states the animals have shown modifications of their behaviour to take advantage of available food sources and shelter – while generally avoiding humans.

River valleys act as natural corridors for coyotes and other wildlife while many urban areas in the province lie adjacent to natural landscapes or productive agricultural land. And many communities have abundant natural areas, as well.

Human foods can make up to 30 per cent of a coyote’s diet, foods which are typically accessed at night and in places with suitable cover so the animals can minimize the risk of encountering people, says the province.

The animals, which are said to be curious, intelligent and adaptable feed heavily on rodent species so provide valuable pest control, their diets mainly consisting of mice, squirrels and rabbits.

Coyotes at a quick glance could be mistaken for a dog with a look the province describes as a cross between a fox and a small German shepherd or collie. With a narrow nose and large ears, they keep their bushy tail low when running.

Fish and Wildlife suggests people who encounter a coyote – or any type of wildlife that poses an imminent concern to public safety – should call the 24-hour Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

If people encounter a coyote, Fish and Wildlife says to “make the experience unpleasant for the animal. Make it feel unwelcome in your neighbourhood. Even if you are not concerned about problems with coyotes, they should not feel comfortable around us or our homes.”

People should also respond aggressively by making themselves appear larger and waving arms overheads. People can also thrust long objects such as a walking stick toward the coyote.

Other tips include throwing objects such as sticks and rocks at the coyote, shouting in a deep voice and maintaining eye contact.

“If the coyote continues to approach, back away slowly and move toward buildings or human activity if the coyote continues to approach. Do not turn away or run. This will encourage the coyote to chase you,” recommends Fish and Wildlife.

If coyotes return to a neighbourhood, the province says it’s due to shelter or easy sources of food being available.

City residents can reduce chances of coyotes returning to a neighbourhood by following these tips:

• Never feed coyotes. Feeding coyotes inevitably leads to unsafe situations that result in human injury or the death of the animal.

• Never unintentionally feed coyotes. Pet food, garbage and fruit fallen from trees might also be available. Reduce your chances of attracting coyotes by removing these items from your yard.

• Remove low branches on trees that can provide hiding places for coyotes or attract small animals, particularly near children’s play areas.

• Keep a clean backyard by removing seeds, meat, suet for birds and fallen fruit. These attract mice and squirrels, which are prey for coyotes.

• Install motion-activated lights in your yard.

ª Keep your cats indoors and do not let your dog play outside unsupervised.

• Always be sure to clean up dog feces as it attracts coyotes.

• Use a durable wire mesh to close off spaces under decks, patios and outbuildings. • Keep all spaces that may be used as a shelter closed off and inaccessible to coyotes.

• Make sure your fence is in good repair. Holes in fences may attract curious coyotes into your backyard.

• Take your garbage out only on the morning of collection.

• Talk to your neighbours about following the same preventative measures.

The province says coyotes will visit schoolyards for the same reason they check out backyards and lanes so students should place their litter in outdoor garbage cans with secure lids or dispose of it indoors.

In summer and fall, coyote families travel together in search of food and sightings may be more common as young ones explore their surroundings. With more people using parks in summer and fall, the possibility of encounters increases.

In January and February they can gather in groups looking for mates. At this time of year, they are more territorial and aggressive towards dogs. The province says they may try to entice a dog away from its owner and attack to eliminate what it perceives as a threat.

According to the Helen Schuler Centre Nature Centre, this city’s abundance of natural ares provides excellent habitat for coyotes.

“They are an important part of Lethbridge’s ecosystem, playing an important role in managing rodent populations within the city,” says the centre’s website.

The centre recommends residents keep cats indoors and walk dogs on-leash, particularly in the river valley. And it suggests owners maintain eye contact with their dogs at off-leash parks and to put their animals on leash if any wildlife is spotted.

“Coyotes are opportunistic hunters and will sometimes prey on outdoor cats and small dogs. They may also try to intimidate a medium to large-size dog if it enters their territory,” says the centre.

According to website naturealberta.ca, coyote sightings have been increasing across North America. The belief that conflict with the animals is rising prompted researchers at the University of Alberta to launch the Edmonton Urban Coyote Project which is aimed at improving humans’ understanding of coyotes and how co-existence can be possible.

From January 2012 to December, 2021, 9,134 reports were received on a project website. Those reports were then analyzed to gain insights on how humans and coyotes interact.

“The spatial distribution of the reports showed that the odds of encountering a bold coyote increased in open areas, perhaps because coyotes are less able to hide from dogs or people in such environments and therefore choose fight over flight. Conflict in open areas can be reduced by ensuring dogs are leashed and owners are observant. Coyotes were less bold in areas with higher building density. However, this did not translate into a lower level of concern about coyotes among people in residential neighbourhoods,” wrote Johnathan Farr and Colleen Cassady St. Clair on the website.

“In fact, the opposite was true. For this reason, it is particularly important to avoid attracting coyotes to urban neighbourhoods, where they are more likely to be perceived negatively, even if they do not exhibit bold behaviour.”

“The period from September to December had the highest total encounters, as well as the highest level of human concern about coyotes. The fall season is when young coyotes disperse and explore new areas, including residential neighbourhoods, and this likely is the cause of increased encounters.”

Researchers learned that encounters with bold coyotes were more likely if cats and dogs were present, especially if those household pets were off-leash.

“This pattern suggests that the exploratory behaviour of off-leash pets increases their chances of encountering a coyote. In some cases, they may even be perceived as prey.”

The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conversation says on its website that although coyotes are a common sight in this province, attacks are extremely rare with only one recorded death in Canada as the result of one.