Several Portage la Prairie residents have noticed the presence of coyotes around the community recently. Reports of the animals hanging around Koko Platz and Mellenville have shown up on social media sites and it's not unusual to see or hear them on the outskirts of the community. It is however a little more unusual to see them inside city limits.
This raises concern as Halloween is taking place this week and Portage children will be walking our streets for some treats. While there have been no reports of attacks of any kind in the community for years, it's still a good idea for people to be paying attention when near areas the coyotes might hang around. We reached out to the province's wildlife department for some tips on how coyotes can pose a danger and how to avoid them.
Reduce Risks for People
Most of the time, coyotes are timid animals and avoid interactions with people. However, they are also very adaptable and can be equally comfortable living in urban, rural, and wilderness areas. Coyotes are lured to properties where there is food and food waste, including fallen fruit on the ground. Pet food, birdseed, and garbage with food will attract them.
Reduce Risk for Pets
They've even been known to attack pets.
The province reports that they often carry diseases and parasites that can infect people and animals. One precaution against them, if they're seen, is to scare them away. Attacks on people are rare, but they can occur. If coyotes have been fed previously, the risk is greater because they may associate people with food.
To reduce risk, never feed them. When they find food around people, they begin to lose their fear and can become more aggressive. Never leave pet food outside, and clean up pet waste in your yard daily. Keep your trash in a secure building or a wildlife-resistant container. If you compost food, do so where wildlife cannot access it.
Yards with bird feeders require frequent cleanup of any spilled seeds. Coyotes eat fruit and prey on other animals attracted by fruit.
If you choose to use fencing, it must be at least two metres high and extend 30 cm into the ground. Any backyard chicken coops or beehives should be fully enclosed. Electric fencing also deters coyotes.
If you walk in an area where coyotes are nearby, make loud noises, such as with a whistle or rattle. You can put pebbles in a canister. Using a walking stick or umbrella is an effective weapon, and even the sound of an umbrella opening can scare them away. Carry a few rocks to throw if needed.
When outside, don't wear earbuds or headphones listening to music in areas where coyotes could be lurking. Coyotes are more active between sundown and sunrise.
Signs of coyotes include tracks, droppings, or pets that refuse to go outside.
Children should be taught what a coyote looks like and what to do if they see one. Kids should be instructed to never approach an animal unless it's on a leash and the owner says it's okay. Never contact coyotes or their feces. If a coyote appears sick or injured, note its location and contact a conservation officer. Share this information with friends and neighbours.
Another tip is to vary your walking route and always walk where there are people. Avoid walking after sunset or before sunrise. Never allow your dog to play with coyotes. If you have a pet, ensure it receives appropriate vaccines, as recommended by your veterinarian. If your pet is attacked by a coyote, use a walking stick, noisemakers, or throw rocks. Never attempt to separate the animals with your hands, as coyotes can seriously injure people.
If You Encounter a Coyote
If you encounter a coyote, never approach or crowd it. Allow it an escape route. Stop, remain calm, and assess your situation. Never run, as it may incite the coyote to chase you. Pick up small children or pets, noting that a coyote's response can be unpredictable.
If you see a coyote and it hasn't noticed you, quietly move away when it's not looking in your direction. Keep an eye on it as you leave in case it starts to follow you. If it approaches, haze or scare it away so it associates people as a threat. Maintain eye contact and keep facing the coyote. Stand tall, shout, and wave your arms to appear more threatening. Make noise with your voice, an air horn, or a whistle. Rattles or anything that makes noise is also useful.
Never throw food at them—only rocks or other projectiles like sticks or balls. You can spray the coyote with a garden hose or a squirt gun filled with water or diluted vinegar. Wildlife deterrent spray, such as bear mace, can be used if the coyote gets close.
Keep hazing the coyote until it leaves. It's recommended to haze a coyote when it approaches a person or pet, when it's active during daylight in populated areas, or when it doesn’t leave when people approach. Scaring the animal is also advisable if it enters your yard.
Do not haze a coyote if there is no escape route, if it is already avoiding people and pets, or if it's in a wide open space late at night.
If a coyote attacks, fight back aggressively using any weapon available, such as sticks or rocks, aiming to strike the animal's eyes or nose.
Report any encounter where a coyote approaches people to a conservation office.
To report wildlife showing aggressive behaviour or that appears sick, injured, or orphaned, contact a conservation officer at the local district office or call the TIP line at 1-800-782-0076.
More information can be found at: manitoba.ca/human-wildlife.
Lethal Removal
Coyotes can be harvested by a licensed trapper or hunter during a regulated season. Trapping and hunting regulations apply. In certain circumstances under The Wildlife Act, a person may kill a coyote to defend their property, but they must report it to a conservation officer within 10 days. For additional information, please contact Manitoba Government Inquiries at 204-945-3744, 1-866-MANITOBA, or mgi@gov.mb.ca.
Another option is to utilize the services of a pest management company authorized to remove coyotes.