What to know
- Young coyotes enter their independence phase from September to December, venturing farther from their parents’ territories as they learn to live independently. This can lead to more sightings in Toronto and its ravines, forests, and trails.
- Residents should never feed or provoke coyotes, as food rewards can reduce their natural avoidance of people. Feeding wildlife is also illegal in Toronto and can result in a minimum $365 fine.
- If you encounter a coyote, don’t run or turn your back. Face the animal, use large gestures and a loud voice to make yourself appear intimidating. Pet owners should keep dogs leashed, particularly because coyotes may “shadow” or escort dogs they perceive as a threat.
- Staying aware and removing food sources can help prevent conflicts. Sampson recommends avoiding headphones while walking, especially at night, securing garbage, cleaning up bird seed, and keeping yards free of food that could attract coyotes or their prey.
Torontonians are being cautioned to be aware of their surroundings as coyotes are expected to come out in the latter half of the year.
With younger coyotes now in an independence phase and coming out of their usual territories to explore, one expert is sharing how to stay safe around them and their families.
Coyotes are in an independent phase
From September until December, young coyotes enter a season of independence, leading to dispersing from their parents’ territories and finding their own space.
“The young ones are venturing further into their territory, and then mom and dad are also working really hard at teaching them independent readiness,” Coyote Watch Canada executive director Lesley Sampson told Now Toronto. “They’re preparing them to be great coyote citizens and have all those skills and those experiences that [will] allow them to live well in urban scapes.”
As young coyotes venture out, Toronto residents may see more of them in city spaces. Sampson said although they typically avoid contact with people, these behaviours can change.
“We do note that young coyote pups have a natural avoidance of people that can be shifted if there [are] food rewards encouraging them to come closer, but also they might be curious as well,” she said.
Because of this, Sampson said it’s important to know how to stay safe around coyotes and their packs if you’ve encountered them.
Feeding coyotes and other wildlife
She strongly advises residents not to feed coyotes, or any animals for that matter, noting it’s against the law. She said residents should avoid trying to provoke coyotes to come toward them
“We food condition wildlife at an exceptional amount, and so [for] coyote families, we need to keep safe and healthy boundaries,” she explained. “Once we feed wildlife, we are essentially saying to them, ‘it’s okay to come closer to us.’”
Additionally, the city’s website says feeding wildlife may seem harmless, but it can have serious impacts on both animals and the community due to further expectations, health risks for the animals, and disturbing the animals’ natural instincts.
Those caught feeding wildlife could be subject to a minimum fine of $365.
What to do if you encounter a coyote
Coyotes live among Toronto’s ravines, forests, and at times trails, areas citizens tend to enjoy exploring and walking through.
Despite this, Sampson said it’s possible to co-exist with coyotes without either population interfering with the other.
If you encounter a coyote, Sampson said it’s important to keep your back away from them.
“Obviously, we’re not turning our back and running. We don’t do that from domestic dogs. We’re not doing that to wild canids,” she explained.
Instead, Sampson said to face the coyote and use big gestures and a loud voice to appear more intimidating.
Something the City of Toronto also agrees with.
Additionally, if a resident has a garbage bag on hand, Sampson said that can help.
“If you have a green garbage bag handy, you can fill that with air and snap it,” she explained.
What to do if you’re walking your dog or another pet
For pet owners, Sampson said they should keep their companion on a leash, for both animals’ benefit. Additionally, she said it’s important to pick up after your pet to keep the area pollution-free for wildlife.
“Sharing space is easy if we carry that respect, reverence, and restraint, especially when out walking with our beloved pets,” she explained.
Pet owners especially need to look out for shadowing behaviours.
“If coyotes are feeling threatened, they often will do what we refer to as escort or shadowing somebody with a dog,” Sampson said, noting it’s another reason to keep your pet on a leash.
She said if you’re walking your pet at night, it’s important to be vigilant. Ultimately, Sampson advises everyone to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
“Wearing earbuds and headphones and being on your cell phone when you’re out walking with your pet is probably not the best safety practice,” she said. “You want to be aware of your surroundings. We don’t know what’s coming down a pathway or a trail.”
How to keep coyotes off your property
For those who live in a home with an outdoor space, such as a backyard or front yard, Sampson said it’s important to keep the area free of food and garbage.
For those who enjoy hanging bird feeders, cleaning the area underneath is crucial to keep unwanted wildlife away.
“Rodents love seed, and so do canids. Foxes and coyotes will eat the seeds as well, so [clean] up and [make] sure you’re not attracting any small mammal populations, which are a food source for birds of prey and land predators as well,” Sampson said.
It’s also important to tie off trash and keep it out of reach of animals ahead of garbage day.
Sampson said Coyote Watch Canada strives to educate Canadians and Toronto residents on how to stay safe around coyotes, while keeping animals safe as well.
“A lot of the initiatives are based on education and helping residents understand their role in how what we do and don’t do really does change wildlife behavior.”
