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Related Info:

• See our dog safety fact sheet "Why Do Dogs Bite?", or order "Bite Free", our dog bite safety unit.

• Coexisting with Coyotes has been developed by the Stanley Park Ecology Society to inform the public of methods to prevent conflict between humans, pets and coyotes. 

Coyotes In Urban Areas

Coyotes are becoming common sights in urban areas across North America. In the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, for example, there is estimated to be 2,000 urban coyotes.

Normally coyotes pose no danger to adults, but people should be aware there are potential risks to pets and small children. Coyotes by nature are fearful of humans but some have lost their fear of humans after being fed by people over time. Attacks on people are rare -- much more rare than dog attacks on people -- and in all known cases the coyote had lost its fear of humans because people were feeding the animals.

Aggressive Coyotes

It is the responsibility of the provincial Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks to deal with wildlife in BC. Ministry Conservation Officers provide direct response to dangerous wildlife complaints. Call 1-800-663-9453 or 604-582-5200 (Lower Mainland) to report an aggressive or threatening coyote. The BC SPCA has no jurisdiction to deal with wildlife, unless the animal is injured, involved in an oil spill or is in captivity. The BC SPCA is involved in wildlife rehabilitation through our Victoria Branch and we work cooperatively with wildlife groups in BC to rescue and transfer wild animals to rehabilitation facilities.

Minimize Risks

The BC SPCA's position on urban coyotes parallels that of the Ministry of Environment which focuses on coexistence. Only coyotes known to be causing a direct threat to people should be killed, and the method of killing must be humane. It has been established that trap and release methods are not effective. Here are some steps to better co-exist with coyotes:

1. Never leave small children unattended.

2. Never attempt to befriend any wildlife. They become dependent on us -- keep them wild. Wild animals can be unpredictable.

3. Supervise all pets closely, keeping them indoors from dusk to dawn -- cats and small dogs especially.
4. Keep pets under your control (dogs and cats on a leash when outside).
5. Supervise your pets when they are outdoors. If you must leave your pet alone outside make sure it is in a secure fenced area (such as a dog or cat run). Be vigilant when walking near parks, golf courses and other wild areas.
6. If coyotes are known to live near you consider making your cat an indoor cat.
7. NEVER feed coyotes. Keeping coyotes scared of humans protects people. "A fed coyote is a dead coyote," because if the coyote attacks a person you can bet that animal will be destroyed.
8. Be sure you are not feeding coyotes without realizing it! Check that:

• garbage is secure 
• composts are covered
• fruit fallen from trees is not left on the ground
• bird feeders are not overflowing with seeds
• pets are fed inside and no pet food is left outside

9. Fence your yard: High fences flush to the ground or dug below grade level discourage coyotes from entering yards.
10. If confronted by a coyote: yell, stamp your feet, look big, wave your arms and scare the coyote away. Kids, especially, need to know this!

What to do if a coyote approaches?

In general a wild coyote will not approach people. However, habituated coyotes in search of food may approach people. If a coyote approaches you must act aggressively. This is the opposite of dog encounter. Teach children to not act like prey (a rabbit) but to act large and ferocious (like a lion). Follow these steps:

1. Scare the coyote! Stand up tall and make yourself big by waving your arms above your head. Stamp your feet.
2. If you can grab a stick, broom or other object, thrust it toward the coyote. Wave a backpack or umbrella.
3. Shout at the coyote to go away.
4. If the coyote continues to approach you, seek safety in a public building. Don't turn your back on the coyote.
5. Report habituated coyotes to authorities - SPCA, City Pounds, Wildlife Conservation, or the Police.
6. Put up warning signs in your neighbourhood if you see a coyote.
7. If you see someone attempting to befriend or feed a coyote intervene.

What do they eat?

Coyotes are classified as carnivores but their diet varies greatly. They primarily eat small mammals -- rats, mice, shrews, squirrels, and rabbits. Pet guardians need to be particularly careful because coyotes will prey on cats and small dogs. There have been occasional cases where dogs have been attacked even while on leash. Being opportunists, coyotes will also eat just about anything -- garbage, fallen fruit, seeds from bird feeders, pet food.   

Why are they here?

Humans are creating more and more ideal coyote habitat every day! Coyotes have been expanding their range over the past 100 hundred years. Although coyotes have been in British Columbia for many years they are relatively new to places such as Vancouver. Coyotes prefer grasslands and living at the edges of forests. Urban development and farmland create new habitats, Railroad lines, hydro-wire corridors and highways provide the pathways for coyotes to travel. 

It is not surprising that the coyote does well in an urban environment. They are a "generalist species" - meaning they can adapt to new places as long as there is enough food and shelter. They prefer small animals and cities have plenty! Golf courses, parks, granaries and fields attract the rodents coyotes feed on. The more forest land that is cleared for development, the more habitat space for coyotes, who don’t live in dense forest. Also, other predators such as cougars, bears and wolves usually move away from human occupied areas providing coyotes with an unchallenged food supply. The only other competition are birds of prey and outdoor cats.

What are the problems?

Coyotes in a city can cause problems for people. They eat garbage and food left outdoors, and sometimes they eat small pets. Some people think that coyotes must be trapped and taken out of the city but this is very difficult and ineffective. Poisoning programs to reduce coyote numbers would also kill other wild animals or pets. Children are also at risk. 

Relocating coyotes to another place is sometimes suggested. Coyotes are clever enough to avoid most traps and even if they were removed, they may be replaced by other coyotes. The problem is merely moved to someone else’s backyard. Also, sometimes the removed coyote is in danger in its new area because the area may be the home range or territory of another coyote. In fact, a large percentage of wildlife that is removed from the city often does not survive. 

Since coyotes have an established home range or territory, removing one might create a habitat for two new coyotes. A balance will be reached within the urban environment based on available food supply. The better we are keeping the food supply restricted -- cleaning up garbage and keeping pets under supervision -- will result in fewer coyotes over time.

Learning to live with the coyote - or coexistence - seems to be the best answer.

• Have you had a coyote sighting in the Lower Mainland? Contact the Coexisting with Coyotes program: www.stanleyparkecology.ca/programs/urbanWildlife/coyotes/sightings
   
• Coyotes displaying aggressive or threatening behaviour in the Province of British Columbia should be reported to the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection at 1-800-663-9453