Rise in Edmonton urban coyote sightings natural given warmer weather during mating season: wildlife group

As coyotes leave their dens for mating season CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg has some tips for what to do if you encounter one.

The presence of coyotes in some Edmonton neighbourhoods is on the rise as warmer weather coincides with mating season.

When someone comes across one, they usually can expect no harm, but if they find themselves sharing walking trails with the animals, there are ways to deter them, says a representative from a local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group.

Residents of the north-side Mayliewan community have noticed more coyotes around recently, including Carla Chalifoux, whose dog Cain generally deters wildlife from approaching her while they’re out for walks, says she can often hear the coyotes and see them on the frozen storm-pond lake close to her home.

“At night, my husband walks with a club, and I feel less worried with this big guy (Cain) here,” Chalifoux told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday, adding she’s even given a neighbour shelter in her backyard from some four-legged stalkers. “But at the same time, there have been neighbours who have been very frightened because they’ve been following them even in the middle of a summer day, but it is nature.”

Jillian Van Kooten, a wildlife technician with Wild North Alberta, says the best thing a person can do if they find themselves being followed by coyotes is to stay calm, make themselves as big as possible, hold their ground and don’t attack.

“You want to act big, act loud,” Van Kooten told CTV News Edmonton. “We even recommend gently tossing things towards them. Never hit them with anything, of course, but if you gently toss a stick or a rock in their direction ... ideally, you want to just scare them away.”

Van Kooten says people can expect to see coyotes more often during mating season on warmer days such as the ones Edmonton has been experiencing recently.

She said it’s important that people “maintain that natural human fear they have of us.”

“Their first inclination is generally going to be to run away, not to attack,” Van Kooten said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg