‘Coyote attacks on people are virtually unheard of,’ Toronto wildlife groups say residents shouldn’t fear coyotes

Toronto wildlife organizations are telling residents not to fear coyotes after a video caught a local woman being approached by one over the weekend. 

Last Saturday, Toronto TikToker @marusyaaks posted a video showing her close encounter with a coyote while sitting on a park bench near Ontario Place.

In the video, the coyote did not cause any harm and moved away from the woman seconds later. 

“Thank you for not coming any closer, Mr. Coyote. I was in full crisis planning mode,” reads her caption.

In response, some Toronto wildlife organizations are sharing their helpful insights and tips about the wild animal. 

Executive Director of Toronto Wildlife Centre Nathalie Karvonen believes coyotes do not deserve the bad reputation they often receive from the public. 

“People have a completely irrational and unfounded fear of coyotes, and it has caused a lot of suffering and death to coyotes. An adult coyote weighs up to 30 lbs, which isn’t much, and coyote attacks on people are virtually unheard of,” she said in a statement to Now Toronto.

“The coyote in this video has likely been fed by people, and was looking for another handout. This is exactly why we STRONGLY advise against feeding wild animals, as it can make them approach people and change their behaviours somewhat. If this woman had been approached by a dog, or a squirrel looking for a handout, this would be a non-issue,” she continued. 

That is why she is emphasizing residents never to feed wild animals if they encounter one and if a coyote does approach an individual, they can either do nothing or make noise and wave their hands around to scare off the coyote. 

But why do coyotes appear to be out in public areas more often? In a statement to Now Toronto, Toronto Zoo Wildlife Care Keeper Courtney Coons said as human areas expand, it enters into the habitats of wild species. As a result, there is more overlap between human living spaces and animal spaces, such as hunting grounds and den sites. 

“Survival for animals is dependent around available resources, humans provide a lot of those resources both willingly and unwillingly. Animal behaviour adapts to their environment, so you may see animals out during unusual times, eating things they historically don’t or other new behaviours that they have learned to help them to survive,” she explained. 

She goes on to share five ways residents can stay safe during interactions with wildlife:

1. Do not feed the wildlife. Feeding and disturbing wild animals is also illegal in Toronto.
2. Keep an eye on your pets and children. Watch dogs outside and have them on a leash when not in your backyard. Cats should also not be free to roam. 
3. Keep garbage somewhere contained where animals cannot get into it.
4. If you are approached by wildlife, give it lots of room, pick up small pets or children if you feel uncomfortable. 
5. Stay calm and maintain watch on the animal and make noise, so the animal knows you’re there.