What’s leading to a rise in coyote sightings in Calgary?
Posted Jan 21, 2020 12:36 pm.
Last Updated Jan 21, 2020 12:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It appears more Calgarians are seeing coyotes in the city.
While the City of Calgary has reported a spike in sightings, one coyote expert says it doesn’t mean more of the animals are roaming around.
Dr. Shelley Alexander, with the University of Alberta, said it’s likely people have been seeing the same coyotes multiple times.
However, there’s another big reason why more of the animals appear to be out.
“There’s a very narrow window in which coyotes breed, which is the end of January, start of February. During that time period, they are very protective of mates, or they are somewhat agitated trying to find a mate so their aggression level can be a little bit higher.”
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According to the city’s website, coyote sightings are frequent for Calgary, and the animals adapt well to park environments and urban areas.
Dr. Alexander said there are many tips to avoid coming in contact with one.
“Managing things that are attractants that bring them into our neighbourhoods like garbage, birdseed, anything like dog food that we leave out. On average, about three people per year are bitten or scratched by coyotes, and in all of those cases, we found that coyotes were being fed regularly by citizens.”
Dr. Alexander also recommends you keep your pet on a leash if you’re out for a walk with them.
According to data from city parks, there were over 1800 coyote sightings in 2019, up from 1099 in 2018.
If you spot a coyote in the city, you’re asked not to approach it and call 311 or report the sighting online.
