Coyote calls on the rise in Calgary; city wildlife team advises caution
The City of Calgary's wildlife team says they're fielding hundreds of calls about coyotes.
This happens every spring as new pups emerge from dens.
Officials want you to know what to do if you encounter one.
As more people head outdoors with the warmer weather, they're bound to spot more signs of wildlife.
"I'm concerned. (My dog), he's small. He's good food for a coyote," said one man out walking with his best friend on Wednesday.
Coyotes are most active in the spring as they establish den sites for their litters of pups.
"They can be a little more protective and territorial, especially with people with dogs -- they can interpret it as a rival predator," said Harry Aime, integrated pest management wildlife technician.
It's in coyotes' nature to avoid humans but in shared spaces like parks, you might cross paths with one.
Back away slowly.
If it seems aggressive, try to scare the coyote by shouting, waving your arms and stomping your feet.
You can even throw something in its direction.
Wildlife crews will intervene if the coyote becomes aggressive but say negative encounters are rare and can be avoided.
Keep your dog on a leash, pick up after your pet and secure bins on your property.
Other tips to avoid a run-in include keeping cats indoors, cleaning your barbecue and not approaching or feeding wildlife.
"(Coyotes) serve important ecological functions. They control pest species, they keep ground squirrels under control, so it's a matter of living with them," Amie said.
"In most cases, problem coyote behaviour is a result of problem people behaviour."
The city does monitor where coyotes are more active and other wildlife trends, so if you spot or have an encounter, you’re encouraged to report it to 3-1-1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6968646.1721316302!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING High-profile Liberal minister to announce he is quitting cabinet, not running in next election: sources
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan is set to announce as early as Thursday that he will not run in the next federal election, and will be quitting his cabinet position, multiple Liberal sources tell CTV News.
More Americans are searching online about moving to Canada. But will they come here?
In the last few weeks, there has been a surge in the number of Americans searching online about moving to Canada and recent political events appear to have been a major catalyst.
'One screen, two movies': Conflicting conspiracy theories emerge from the Trump rally shooting
A former president is wounded in a shooting, the gunman quickly neutralized, and all of it is caught on camera. But for those who don't believe their eyes, that's just the start of the story.
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller's office vandalized in Montreal
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller's office in Montreal was vandalized early Thursday morning.
B.C. woman who thought Coldplay concert 'was a date' must pay ex for ticket, tribunal rules
A B.C. woman has been ordered to repay her ex for a ticket to Coldplay's 2023 concert in Vancouver – in a small claims decision that highlights the distinction between gifts and loans under Canadian law.
6 bodies were found in a Bangkok hotel room with no signs of violence. Police think they know why
Should visitors to Thailand be concerned about their safety after six people were found dead in a locked hotel room in Bangkok?
Tail hair cut off multiple horses outside Alberton: P.E.I. RCMP
The Prince Edward Island RCMP is asking for the public’s help after three horses recently had their tails cut off.
Two listeriosis deaths in Ontario linked to plant-based milk recall: MOH
Two deaths as a result of a listeriosis outbreak linked to a plant-based milk recall are in Ontario, provincial health officials confirmed Thursday.
Mississauga, Ont., nursing home evacuated of more than 100 residents amid flooding
First responders say it took nearly 12 hours to rescue more than 100 residents from a flooded Mississauga, Ont., long-term care home after torrential rain pummelled the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday.