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Coyotes

ABOUT COYOTES

  • Coyotes look like a cross between a fox and a small collie or German shepherd and weigh between 9 and 14 kilograms.
  • They have a narrow nose, large ears and a bushy tail they hold low when running.
  • Coyotes are highly curious, intelligent and adaptable.
  • Coyotes primarily feed on rabbits, mice and squirrels.
  • Because coyotes feed heavily on abundant rodent species, they provide a valuable pest-control service to their human neighbours.


Did you know? Depending on where you're from, there are different pronunciations of the word "coyote" as ky-OAT-ee, KY-oat, or even KY-oot.

Urban Coyotes

  • Coyote populations are common in urban areas with individual coyotes showing modifications of typical wild behaviour in order to take advantage of available food and shelter while generally avoiding people.
  • Coyotes readily access human food sources and these foods may make up to 30% of the coyote's diet. Coyotes typically access human foods at night and in areas with suitable cover to minimize the risk of encountering people.
  • Some coyotes carry high parasite loads such as infection from sarcoptic mange and these individuals are more likely to utilize urban areas and consume human foods, risking human encounters in order to use less energy to forage and find shelter.

Coyote Removal

  • Previous efforts to remove coyotes in other North American cities have failed.
  • Conventional lethal control measures used to remove coyotes from cities have included live trapping and euthanasia, neck and leg snaring, poisoning, and shooting.
  • These measures can pose serious health and safety risks when used in proximity to people and their pets. Additionally, coyotes are clever and perceptive and very quickly learn to avoid traps and snares.
  • Removing individual coyotes or groups of coyotes merely leaves a vacancy for other coyotes to fill.

Reducing Conflict

Remove attractants. The most important thing to do in residential neighborhoods is to prevent access to human sources of food. Remove or secure all food sources on or near the ground such as garbage, compost, bird seed, pet food, and fruit, including crab apples and berries. Avoid feeding any wildlife on the ground, which readily spreads disease as well as attracts rodents and coyotes. NEVER intentionally feed or leave food for coyotes, which puts people at direct risk of conflict and exposure to a parasitic tapeworm that can infect people.

Contain and control pets. Small pets can attract coyotes as potential prey and some coyotes may learn to target cats that roam and small dogs protected by short fences. Larger dogs easily cause territorial and defensive behaviour, particularly when they are off-leash in on-leash areas where coyotes do not expect to encounter them. Never let your dog play with or be chased by coyotes. These interactions teach coyotes how to manipulate or dominate dogs, creating conditions that will endanger other dogs in future.

Teach wariness. Ensure that coyotes keep their natural fear of humans by treating them aggressively, particularly in residential neighbourhoods. If comfortable doing so, directly approach coyotes in these contexts while throwing objects (such as a tennis ball or stone), carrying a protective stick, and shouting or shaking a can containing coins. This treatment, known as hazing, is intended to teach coyotes more fear of people. Wary coyotes that avoid close proximity to people reduce both opportunities for and perceptions of conflict. Coyotes that lose their fear of people and become habituated are much more likely to access human food and become food-conditioned. Food-conditioned animals seek out people whom they associate with food, which always leads to escalating conflict. Never run away from a coyote, which can induce a chase.

Important Tips for Kids

  • If you see a coyote, never run, even if you are scared.
  • Yell at the coyote in an angry voice and make yourself look bigger by putting your arms in the air.
  • Never approach coyotes or any other wildlife.
  • Do not leave food for the coyotes.
  • Never litter. Keep your home yard, school yards and parks clean.
  • When walking the dog, always keep it on a leash. Pick up the dog feces to throw away in a garbage can.
  • Do not let cats out.

Why do coyotes visit schoolyards?

  • Coyotes visit schoolyards for the same reason they investigate backyards and laneways; they are searching for food, such as leftover lunches and food wrappers.
  • Children should place litter in schoolyard garbage cans that have secure lids, or put all their litter in garbage cans indoors. Garbage containers should be cleaned out daily to reduce odours.

Coyotes in Packs

  • In January and February, coyotes may gather in groups, looking for mates.
  • They tend to be more territorial and aggressive toward dogs at this time of year. Coyotes may try to entice your dog away and attack it to eliminate the threat. Keeping your dog leashed at all times is the best way to keep it safe.
  • In summer and fall, coyote families travel together in search of food.
  • Coyote sightings may be more common in summer and fall as young animals explore their surroundings. People make more frequent use of urban parks and green belt areas during this time, which also increases the possibility of encounters.

Coyote Behaviour

  • Coyotes tend to be most active between dusk and dawn. They usually spend the day resting in their dens, under low branches of trees or any other sheltered area.
  • You may see coyotes at any time of the day as they can adapt their daily routines, especially if they learn to find reliable food sources at a particular time.


Sources: https://www.alberta.ca/coyotes.aspx, https://edmontonurbancoyotes.ca/whatcanido.php