Coyotes just looking for food, so remove
food sources, expert saids
guelphmercury.com
GUELPH — If you have a problem with coyotes,
what you really have is a problem with a
food source, says Lesley Sampson, director
and co-founder of Coyote Watch Canada.
what you really have is a problem with a
food source, says Lesley Sampson, director
and co-founder of Coyote Watch Canada.
Get rid of the food source and the coyotes
will move on, she told about 30 people
who attended a public meeting at City
Hall Friday night on the subject.
will move on, she told about 30 people
who attended a public meeting at City
Hall Friday night on the subject.
There's been an increase in coyote sightings
in Guelph in recent years, and the city is
developing a strategy to deal with it.
Educating the public is step one, and that
was the purpose of Friday's meeting.
was the purpose of Friday's meeting.
Sampson spoke about the habits and
demeanour of coyotes, who live in packs,
mate for life and are very protective of
their pups. Generally they don't want to
interact with humans, but if they find a
food source, they will venture into
urban neighbourhoods.
demeanour of coyotes, who live in packs,
mate for life and are very protective of
their pups. Generally they don't want to
interact with humans, but if they find a
food source, they will venture into
urban neighbourhoods.
About 80 per cent of their diet is small
animals. Usually that means mice, but
it could mean your family cat or small
dog if conditions are right. More than
likely, however, it's your compost or
food put out in bird feeders, or birds
that come to bird feeders that's
catching their eye.
animals. Usually that means mice, but
it could mean your family cat or small
dog if conditions are right. More than
likely, however, it's your compost or
food put out in bird feeders, or birds
that come to bird feeders that's
catching their eye.
Sampson talked about a partnership
between Coyote Watch Canada and
the city of Niagara Falls that has has
positive results. Niagara Falls passed
a no-feeding-wildlife bylaw and that
has done a lot to keep coyotes away.
between Coyote Watch Canada and
the city of Niagara Falls that has has
positive results. Niagara Falls passed
a no-feeding-wildlife bylaw and that
has done a lot to keep coyotes away.
"They are masters at finding food,"
Sampson said. "And they are masters
at finding our food. You put yourself
and your neighbours at risk when you
feed wildlife. They'll keep coming back
for more."
Sampson said. "And they are masters
at finding our food. You put yourself
and your neighbours at risk when you
feed wildlife. They'll keep coming back
for more."
Sampson said if you encounter a coyote
on a trail or in your yard, don't run away.
Instead, make yourself big, wave your
arms and shout at it to go away. You
can also bang a stick on the ground,
throw things at it or spray it with water.
on a trail or in your yard, don't run away.
Instead, make yourself big, wave your
arms and shout at it to go away. You
can also bang a stick on the ground,
throw things at it or spray it with water.
"An umbrella is a good hazing tool,"
Sampson said. "They don't like the noise
and they don't like the surprise of an
umbrella opening."
Sampson said. "They don't like the noise
and they don't like the surprise of an
umbrella opening."
Sampson said there has to be a central
place where people can report sightings.
Those should be mapped and available
to the public, so they know areas to avoid.
Mapping can also help pinpoint a food source.
place where people can report sightings.
Those should be mapped and available
to the public, so they know areas to avoid.
Mapping can also help pinpoint a food source.
Kim Hammill lives in south-Guelph and has
run into coyotes more than once while
walking her Jack Russell terriers near Clair
Road and Beaver Meadow Drive. She came
to the meeting to learn more about the
animals and the right way to deal with them.
run into coyotes more than once while
walking her Jack Russell terriers near Clair
Road and Beaver Meadow Drive. She came
to the meeting to learn more about the
animals and the right way to deal with them.
"I saw a coyote in February," she said after
the meeting. "It circled me and my dogs. I
called police and they told me to carry a
bat and bang it on the sidewalk next time.
So I always do and it works."
the meeting. "It circled me and my dogs. I
called police and they told me to carry a
bat and bang it on the sidewalk next time.
So I always do and it works."
Doug Godfrey, manager of bylaw compliance,
security and licensing department, said the
city is reviewing all its bylaws and animal
control is up next. It's possible council would
adopt a no-feeding-wildlife bylaw for Guelph,
but that's a ways away, he said.
security and licensing department, said the
city is reviewing all its bylaws and animal
control is up next. It's possible council would
adopt a no-feeding-wildlife bylaw for Guelph,
but that's a ways away, he said.
"I hope people will learn from these information
sessions that there is something they can do
about coyotes as individuals," he said. "As a
city, we're developing a coordinated plan.
sessions that there is something they can do
about coyotes as individuals," he said. "As a
city, we're developing a coordinated plan.
There will be another coyote information
session next Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at city
hall. More information about coyotes can be
found at www.coyotewatchcanada.com and
www.niagarafalls.ca/coyote.
session next Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at city
hall. More information about coyotes can be
found at www.coyotewatchcanada.com and
www.niagarafalls.ca/coyote.
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