The City of Ottawa says it is finalizing plans to deal with coyotes in a park in Orléans after a teenager reported being attacked earlier this month. Lalande Conservation Park in Orléans has been closed to the public while the city looks at the best way to manage the animals and how they interact with humans. “Following consultation with the Province and wildlife specialists, including Coyote Watch Canada, the City is finalizing its operational plans. This includes assessing whether conditions are appropriate for aversion conditioning and whether it can be implemented safely and effectively in this particular situation,” Natural Systems program manager Nick Stow told CTV News Ottawa in a statement. Stow says the goal is to protect the public while finding a humane, long-term solution to the presence of coyotes in the park. “Influencing the movement of a family of coyotes in a densely populated urban environment is complex, and any response must carefully consider public safety, animal behaviour, and the likelihood of success. Any actions taken will be guided by expert advice, observed animal behaviour, site conditions, and the City’s commitment to evidence-based wildlife management,” Stow said. According to Coyote Watch Canada, aversion conditioning, also known as “humane hazing,” has been used worldwide with various animals, including bears and tigers, and is meant to safely create a negative association with humans to encourage animals to keep their distance, but must be coupled with other measures, such as eliminating easy food sources. Stow said aversion conditioning could be used to restore the coyotes’ natural wariness of humans. “All response options remain under consideration. Protecting public safety remains the City’s top priority and will continue to guide all decision-making.” The mother of a 14-year-old boy told CTV News Ottawa her son was attacked by three coyotes while biking through the park in early June. Lalande Conservation Park is located in the area of Nantes Street, Portobello Boulevard and Provence Avenue, and is near École élémentaire publique Des Sentiers. Stow said there have been no new reports of human-coyote interactions since the initial report two weeks ago. “Lalande Conservation Park will remain temporarily closed while these efforts are underway. Bylaw and Regulatory Services and other City staff continue to maintain a presence in the area to support public education, promote safe wildlife practices, and monitor conditions,” said Stow. “Staff will continue to closely monitor the situation, assess the effectiveness of response measures, and determine whether any additional actions may be required.” Under Ontario’s wildlife regulatory framework, municipalities must follow specific requirements related to wildlife management, the city says. The relocation of coyotes is not permitted under provincial legislation. The city says if you notice any concerning coyote behaviour, you can report it by calling 3-1-1. If you spot a coyote or if it approaches you, the city offers the following tips: With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle
