Our Neighbours, the Coyotes
Our Neighbours, the Coyotes
(Originally posted in the July 2016 edition of the Parkallen News )
Ramsey Cox B.ASc, Park Ranger for the City of Edmonton
Edmonton Park Rangers often face this question: why are coyotes in my neighbourhood?
There are a number of reasons coyotes like Parkallen, and some of them we can control. Coyotes are seen in virtually every neighbourhood at some time throughout the year; they will return and stick around where food, habitat and security are easy to find. Unlike their wild cousins, urban coyotes have urban food sources including bird feeders, pet food left outdoors, unsecured garbage and fallen fruit. Small spaces under patios or concrete steps, behind shrubs and under low hanging trees create dens and secure shelter. Our planned neighbourhoods offer easy mobility allowing coyotes to move freely from front to back yards and along the alleys.
Photo courtesy of the Urban Coyote Project
Coyote pups are born in the early spring; they will stay in family groupings for the summer and are left to fend for themselves in late fall. The summer is when the pups are taught to hunt, find shelter and survive. Summer is the ideal time for humans to minimize opportunities for coyotes in their communities, and discourage pups from getting to cozy in human spaces.
How can we discourage coyotes?
Never feed wildlife! An easy food source is a hard habit to break
Don’t leave pet food outdoors
Clean up excess bird food that drops to the ground
Pick up fallen fruit from trees and bushes - coyotes like fruit!
Secure your garbage
Consider adding a fence restrict access between front and back yards and alleyways
Encounters with coyotes?
Don’t run
Make a lot of noise, wave your arms, act big and confident
If you feel it is necessary, throw small inedible objects
Never let your pets roam freely - a lone coyote can kill a cat or small dog
Coyotes are smart animals - they will learn where they are and are not welcome.
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Learn more:
City of Edmonton - About Coyotes
The Urban Coyote Project bit.ly/UrbanCoyoteYEG