Navigating Wildlife in Your Neighborhood

Ever been startled by a fleeting shadow at dusk, only to realize it was a coyote? It’s becoming a more common occurrence in our neighbourhoods, and honestly, it can feel a bit unsettling. These incredibly adaptable wild canids are finding their way into our urban fringes, and sometimes, right into our backyards. But before you get too worried, let's talk about how we can all coexist safely, for their sake and ours.

You see, coyotes aren't usually looking for trouble. Mostly, they’re just on the hunt for food and a safe place to rest, often drawn by what we humans inadvertently leave out for them. Think unsecured garbage bins overflowing with tempting scraps, forgotten pet food dishes left on the porch, or even those lovely fruit trees dropping their bounty. The real issue arises when they get a little too comfortable around us, often because they’ve been habituated to human presence, sometimes even unintentionally fed.

Okay, so you spot one. What’s the very first thing you should do? Don't panic. And definitely, definitely don't run! Running can unfortunately trigger their natural chase instinct, which is the last thing you want. Instead, the best approach is to make yourself look as large and imposing as possible – stand tall, puff out your chest, wave your arms overhead. You want to appear big and confident, not like a potential meal.

Next up: get loud! Yell, clap your hands together, stomp your feet – anything to make noise and show you're not an easy target. If they don't immediately retreat, try throwing small objects near them. I'm talking a pebble, a stick, maybe a pinecone – just something to startle them and encourage them to move along, not to hurt them, mind you. Keep that eye contact, too, but back away slowly, never turning your back completely. And please, for the love of your furry friends, always keep your pets on a leash in areas where you know coyotes might roam. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference in keeping them safe.

Beyond those immediate, on-the-spot actions, prevention is truly our best tool. It’s all about making your property less appealing to these clever creatures. Secure your garbage bins like they’re Fort Knox, bring in pet food after mealtime, and tidy up any fallen fruit in your yard. Oh, and this really goes without saying, but please, never intentionally feed a coyote. It's the quickest way to create a habituated, potentially problematic animal that then becomes a risk to itself and the community.

If you encounter a coyote that seems unusually bold, appears sick, or acts aggressively – perhaps it's not retreating or is approaching humans or pets too closely – that's when you absolutely need to contact your local animal control or by-law office. They’re the experts who can assess the situation, intervene safely, and ensure everyone in the neighborhood, human and wild, can live a little more harmoniously.