Living With Coyotes
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Large Carnivores

Coyotes are a very adaptable wildlife species that survive well in urban environments, including the City of Calgary. Other large cities, such as Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver also have large populations of urban coyotes.

Urban Habitats

Observing coyotes in Calgary is a common occurrence. They can be seen on local golf courses, in park areas and along river valleys. These green spaces or habitats provide coyotes with the food, water and shelter they need to live.

Coyote Characteristics And Behavior - What Should I Know?

Why Are They Here? - Coyotes are found in urban environments because they are adaptable to the presence and activities of humans and cities offer them abundant opportunities to meet their needs.

What Do They Look Like? - Coyotes look like a cross between a fox and a small collie or german shepherd dog. They generally weigh between nine and fourteen kilograms. Coyotes have bushy tails that they hold low when running. They have a narrow delicate nose and relatively large ears.

Coyotes can vary in colour. Most often they are a grizzled gray on top, buffy brown down the sides and pale underneath.

Coyote Territory - Coyotes living in a particular area or territory will protect this area from other coyotes. They will also defend it against other species, including cats and dogs. This behaviour is quite natural and does not necessarily indicate that a coyote is being overly aggressive.

What Do They Eat? - Coyotes eat a variety of foods. In rural and wild areas, up to seventy percent of their diet will consist of small mammals, fruits, vegetables, insects and other available items. In urban areas, coyotes eat mice, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, geese, ducks, garbage and domestic pets, including cats and small dogs.

Why Are Coyotes A Risk To Pets? - Cats and small dogs tend to be the same size as many of the coyote's natural prey. Small mammals like rabbits, foxes, and raccoons are the same size or resemble many of our domestic pets. Coyotes may also attack larger dogs if they see the dog as a threat.

When Are Coyotes Most Active? - While coyotes can be encountered any time of the year, both during the day and at night, they are generally more active in late winter and early spring as they search for food to feed their new-born pups. Pups are born in the spring and food requirements for nursing females and their young are very high at this time of year. People and their pets are also beginning to spend more time outdoors, as the weather becomes warmer. As a result, there is more potential for encounters with coyotes.
Please be aware of the potential risk to your pets.

What About Rabies? - This is not a current safety concern. To-date, rabies has not been found in any Calgary coyote populations or in provincial populations since the 1970's.

Are Coyotes A Risk To People? - There has not been a problem with coyotes attacking people in Calgary, this includes children. There have been instances where pets have been attacked and coyotes have approached people.

What Can I Do? - If you encounter a coyote, there are a number of things you can do.

• What to do if approached - If a coyote approaches you (and you do not have a dog with you) do not run. Predatory animals, such as coyotes, bears, and cougars are naturally excited by something that is running and will often instinctively give chase. Try yelling, stomping your feet or tossing sticks and stones at it. Look as big as possible, stand up if you are sitting, and raise your hands above your head while yelling and stomping your feet. This will often help in scaring a coyote away.
  With some urban coyotes yelling may not be effective, as they have learned that loud noises such as yelling will not hurt them. Coyotes with this type of learned behaviour will often just sit and watch you. If this occurs, simply backing away from the coyote and leaving the area will be effective. Often the coyote will sense there is nothing of particular interest for them and they will leave on their own.
  
  
• If approached with your dog - If a coyote is sighted, while walking your dog, make sure the dog is on a short leash and leave the area. While taking the dog away, the coyote may circle or follow you and your dog until you have left its territory. You can try shouting and waving off the coyote, however, it may have little effect. If your dog gets into a fight with a coyote, do not try to separate them with your hands. Use a long stick or throw something at the coyote.
  
  
• Personal precautions - You may choose to use different areas for recreation activities or walking your dog during the more active time of the year for coyotes (late winter and spring). If you are in an area where coyotes are frequently seen or confrontations occur, carrying an animal aversion spray may be considered. If a spray is used, make sure the coyote is downwind from you and that you direct the spray in the area of the coyote's eyes and mouth.

Co-Existence Is The Best Solution

Trapping coyotes in the city is very difficult and ineffective. Poisoning programs to reduce coyote numbers would also kill other wild or domestic animals. In the city, poisons and some types of traps could also be a risk to pets and children. For some people, these methods also cause additional concerns as they are viewed as socially unacceptable in today's society.

Relocation is often suggested as an alternative. This simply moves the coyote problem to someone else's backyard. It can also put the coyote at risk by placing it in another coyote's territory. Some people also enjoy viewing coyotes and are opposed to attempts to have them removed. Coyotes are found in green spaces throughout our city because they have found suitable habitat in which to live. It would not take long before one or more coyotes would replace any coyote that was relocated.

Coexisting with coyotes seems to be the best option. Attempts to trap, eradicate and relocate coyotes in other parts of North America have proven both ineffective and very expensive.

Things You Can Do To Co-Exist With Coyotes

• Keep pets under your control and on a leash when outside.
  
  
• If you must leave your pet unattended, provide a secure space, such as an enclosed cat of dog run, for your pet to exercise in.
  
  
• Never feed coyotes. The best strategy is to not habituate or get coyotes used to people in the first place. Keep them wild. This is one of the proven ways to protect your pets and Calgary's wildlife.
  
  
• Be careful not to feed coyotes unintentionally. If they find an easy food source they will keep returning. They are attracted to:
  
  • Improperly contained garbage – place garbage in solid metal or plastic cans. Plastic bags are easily opened.
  • Open composters containing vegetables or fruits which have fallen from trees.
  • An overflowing bird feeder (coyotes will eat the grain as well as the mice and other small mammals attracted by the bird feed).
  • Pet food, avoid feeding pets outdoors.
  
  
• Fencing will help discourage coyotes from entering your yard. Make sure fences are flush to the ground and in good repair.
• Coyotes are only one risk facing the outdoor pet, you may want to consider making your cat or dog an indoor animal.

A Fed Coyote Is A Dead Coyote

Coyotes are an industrious animal and are quite capable of surviving in the city without our help. Feeding coyotes puts you and the coyote at risk. A coyote that becomes dependent on humans for food, may become too bold, and will have to be destroyed. Please do not feed any wildlife, especially coyotes - enjoy them from a distance!

For More Information On Coyotes And Living With Coyotes Visit These Sites:

• Alberta Sustainable Resource Development - Fish & Wildlife
  
  
• Wildlife in the City