An expert has cautioned people enjoying the warmer spring weather to steer clear of any coyotes they may encounter and avoid approaching them or letting their pets get too close to the wildlife. Read More
Coyotes rarely attack due to predatory behaviour, says University of Calgary expert
Coyotes rarely attack due to predatory behaviour, says University of Calgary expert
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An expert has cautioned people enjoying the warmer spring weather to steer clear of any coyotes they may encounter and avoid approaching them or letting their pets get too close to the wildlife.
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Coyote attacks — on pets or humans — generally stem from defensiveness or mistaking small animals as prey, according to Shelley Alexander, a University of Calgary expert on canid ecology.
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“These are never usual activities,” she said. “They are more rare.”
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Noon News Roundup
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Earlier this week, a southwest Calgary resident reported that her dog was snatched by a coyote while on a walk on Signal Hill. Her friend chased the coyote, which eventually dropped the pet, but the dog later died of its injuries, according to Global News.
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The owner, in an interview with Global News, said her dog was on leash at the time of the attack.
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“It’s really sad for the owner,” Alexander said.
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For decades, Alexander has studied coyote ecology, tracking their feeding patterns, human behaviour, media representation and conflict with coyotes.
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The best advice she said she can give is to steer clear of the animals. “Give it room,” she said. “The best solution is to walk away.”
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Why do coyotes attack?
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Coyotes rarely attack due to predatory behaviour, Alexander said. More often, it’s a defensive action.
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Attacks are most likely during the end of May and end of the September going into early October, she said.
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“At that time, the pups come out once again and are very prone,” she said. “And coyotes will view dogs as a threat to those puppies.”
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Alexander calls the period during the end of September the “dispersal period,” when pups will leave the family pack and go out in search for a new territory and a mate. Due to a higher number of coyotes on the move, there tends to be an increased reporting of animal sightings and interactions.
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Any negative interactions during this time are usually characterized by self-defensiveness, Alexander said.
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How do I know if a coyote is acting defensively?
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A coyote encountering a person, either alone, or with a dog in hand, usually sends a few signals, or “warning” signs before approaching.
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The first thing a person might notice is that the animal would come out of its spot and “stare.”
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“If there’s a dog around, that might trigger the coyote,” she said. The coyote might also growl, tackle or drop lower to the ground.
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In some scenarios, the coyote might exhibit an “escorting” behaviour, in which it follows a person (and their pet) at a distance until they are far enough from the coyote’s territory and pups.