‘They can be unpredictable’: Some Winnipeggers surprised to see coyotes in residential areas

WINNIPEG (CityNews) – Some Winnipeg residents have been spotting coyotes in residential neighbourhoods as spring temperatures rise and the animals begin scavenging for food.

Georgie Bouvier, who lives in East Kildonan, thought she saw a dog on the loose a few days ago. But when she got closer, she realized it was a coyote.

“You could tell it was really timid and scared,” said Bouvier. “It tried to run into somebody’s yard, but it got spooked there as well.”

And last month, BJ Oleschuk came across two orange-coloured coyotes – about the size of a medium dog – while walking his dog at Bunn’s Creek Park.

“As much as people say they are very skittish and afraid of humans, these ones seemed just as interested in me as I was in them,” said Oleschuk.

He says he would have been more nervous if there were more than two.

“It was a little bit hair raising,” he said. “I wasn’t scared but adrenaline was rushing because they are wild animals and they can be unpredictable.”

THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Paul Carter /The Register-Guard via AP, File

The Winnipeg Humane Society have a few safety tips if encountering a coyote:

• Stand your ground
• Make yourself as big and loud as possible
• Always keep dogs leashed
• Never leave pets unattended in the yard

The animal welfare organization says it’s the time of year when coyotes get drawn into the city to scavenge for food.

“Coyotes are scavengers and they tend to give birth to their pups around April,” said Brittany Semeniuk, an animal welfare consultant at the Winnipeg Humane Society. “So during the springtime, they’re really focused on finding food, getting enough food, not only for themselves but for their pups as well.”

Semeniuk says while there is a lot of stigma around coyotes, the animals do play a vital role to eco-systems in the area.

She says people can peacefully co-exist with urban wildlife, like coyotes, as long as they are diligent about keeping themselves and their pets safe.

“We emphasize that people make sure their garbage is well contained and that you’re not leaving any food scraps or anything out that might entice these animals,” she said. “And never feed the coyotes.”