Coyotes can be found living throughout the SLRD and are active throughout the year. They are tyipcally timid animals and prefer to avoid contact with humans. While conflict encounters are uncommon, it is important to be alert and aware.
Stay safe and keep coyotes wild by following the simple guidelines at home, on the trail, around children and pets, as well as what to do when you encounter a coyote.
AT HOME
- Do not attract or feed wildlife. Deer, raccoons, mice and rabbits are natural prey and may attract coyotes.
- Do not leave pet food outside as this can attract wildlife.
- Ensure birdseed is not attracting wildlife.
- Ensure garbage is locked to prevent attracting rodents, raccoons or coyotes
- Roaming pets are easy prey. Bring pets in at night. If they must stay outside, ensure they are in a kennel with a secure roof.
- Remove fruit from trees and windfall from the ground as fruit will attract coyotes
- Maintain an odour free compost to reduce attracting rodents and coyotes
- Cut back brush to reduce cover for coyotes and to increase sight lines for better visibility
- Install motion sensor lights
Urban Coyotes: Coyotes can become habituated to humans and lose their natural wariness if they find food in our neighbourhoods. They are highly adaptable to urban living.
ON THE TRAILS
- Be alert and aware at all times.
- Avoid surprise encounters by making noise -- i.e. use your voice.
- Hike or bike in groups of two or more and keep children close at hand
- Keep dogs leashed.
- Look for signs of fresh coyote activity -- i.e. scat, paw prints or dens.
- Riding or running quickly and quietly puts you at a higher risk for surprise encounters. Slow down going around blind corners and make noise.
Coyote Signs
Children
- It is not normal for coyotes to attack or pursue humans, especially adults. Problems between children and coyotes are usually the result of the coyote becoming comfortable with people as a result of direct or indirect feeding.
- Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a coyote.
- Children shouldn't be left unsupervised if a coyote is in area.
- Parents should pick up small children and carry them.
- If a coyote has acted aggressively or displayed aggressive behaviour towards a human or to report sightings, call the 24 hour Conservation Officer Hotline at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
Pets
- If you own a cat: the only way to guarantee a cat's safety is to make it an indoor pet.
- Removing attractants will reduce the probability that a coyote will visit or hang around residential properties.
- An outdoor-enclosed cat run is also an option.
- If you own a small dog and there are coyotes in the neighbourhood:
- Keep the dog inside the home unless you can supervise it when it is outside.
- Keep the dog on a short leash. Avoid extension leashes.
- Supervise the dog when it is off-leash.
- Walk the dog at times and in a place with high pedestrian traffic.
- Avoid walking by abandoned or neglected properties and bushy areas.
- Keep the dog in front while walking.
- Walk the dog with a group of friends.
- If you own a large dog: Coyotes pose very little risk to large dogs.
- Don't allow your dog to play or interact with coyotes. This will allow coyotes to become comfortable around humans and their pets.
ENCOUNTERING A COYOTE
- Stay calm and DO NOT run
- Never turn your back on wildlife
- Back away slowly
- Be as big, mean and loud as possible
- Maintain eye contact
- Pick up children and small pets
- Make yourself appear larger -- i.e. raise your arms overhead, open your jacket wide and stand tall
- Wave your arms and throw objects if the coyote approaches. Ready your deterrent.
Always report wildlife sightings or injured wildlife and/or encounters to the BC Conservation Officer Service 24-hotline at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP)
View the WildSafe BC sightings map
(Sources: Wild Safe BC, District of Squamish)