Coyote, other wildlife sightings and encounters frequent this time of year
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April 2, 2021 – During this pandemic, many Canadians have reported seeing and hearing more wildlife in their neighbourhoods. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) says coyotes in residential areas have received heightened awareness in recent weeks.
NCC’s senior conservation biologist Dan Kraus says we are spotting and hearing these animals because we are spending more time around home and in local parks during COVID-19. During busier times when we are constantly on the move, many of us tend to be hurrying to get somewhere and fail to notice that wildlife is all around us.
Kraus says it is a good sign that people are becoming more aware of wildlife and their annual life cycles. Coyotes are generally more active during their mating season in the winter. Spring is when they are searching for dens to rear their pups, but seeing coyotes this time of year is not uncommon. Coyotes, as with all wildlife, should only be watched from a distance and never approached. While coyotes are generally shy and would prefer to avoid confrontations with humans, they can become habituated to people and become aggressive.
“Early spring is when coyotes are very actively looking for food. They play an important role in the urban ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and eating carrion. It’s an amazing experience to watch a coyote sitting patiently in a meadow or park and then pouncing to capture mice and voles. But unfortunately coyotes that are injured, starving, young or have been fed by people can come into conflict with people,” said Kraus.
