Coyotes and Provincial Parks
Your Safety is our Priority
Park staff closely monitor wildlife behaviour in and around provincial parks. If an animal’s behaviour appears strange or is causing concern, the animal is diverted, or removed from the park. When necessary, problem animals removed from parks are destroyed as they have usually lost their natural fear of people. This action is necessary in order to ensure the safety of park users and park staff.
Help prevent coyotes from becoming a nuisance in our parks:
- Keep your picnic table and campsite clean to reduce food spills and odours that attract wildlife.
- Do not feed wildlife. Doing so causes them to loose their fear of people and become dependent on people for food.
Improve Your Safety in Outdoor Environments:
- Observe and be aware of your surroundings.
- Hike with a friend(s).
- Use a walking stick.
- Carry a noisemaker such as a bell, whistle, air horn or personal alarm.
- Respect wildlife. Do not tease or chase them.
- View or photograph wildlife from a distance.
- If you come upon young animals, leave the area immediately.
- Always keep dogs leashed. A loose dog can end up luring wildlife back toward you.
If you see a coyote:
- Do not approach it. Try to determine if other animals are in the area.
- If you find yourself in close proximity to one or more coyotes, leave the area by slowly backing away in the direction from which you came.
If you are confronted by a coyote:
- Do not turn your back or run away.
- Try to scare the animal. Act big, wave your arms, shout and make noise.
- If attacked, fight back. Use your walking stick or throw stones.
Always report coyote sightings or unusual animal behaviour to park staff.
- Learn more about coyotes