Have you ever spotted coyotes in the City of Calgary? These photos were taken on Bow River Pathway:
It’s actually a good thing that Coyotes are living and thriving in Calgary.
- As the top predator in Calgary’s wildlife, urban coyotes help control populations of other wildlife (especially rodents), from becoming problematic.
- The thriving of coyotes shows that Calgary has a variety of healthy wildlife in stable numbers.
What does a coyote look like?
- Average weight: 9 – 14 kg or 19 – 30 lbs
- Fur is brown with reddish tinges
- Has a bushy tail with a distinctive black tip
- Yellow eyes help them see well in low light
- Ears are large for their body
- Distinctive quick gait
- Can run up to 64 km/h for short distances
Tips for good coyote-human relations:
- Enjoy all wildlife from a distance. Let them do their thing.
- Never feed coyotes or leave pet food (including bird seed) outside.
- Be mindful of where your children are- and don’t leave them unattended.
- Carry a loud whistle or another noise-making device with you in areas that have coyotes.
- Throw all garbage in park containers and pick up after your pet.
What should you do if a coyote approaches you or seems aggressive?
- Do NOT run or turn away.
- Scare the coyote by shouting and waving your arms overhead.
- Bang sticks or clang pots together at the animal.
- Maintain eye contact and back away slowly.
Reporting coyote sightings or encounters
- In an emergency situation where there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
- For non-emergency situations and to report coyote sightings, please call 311 (or 403-268-2489 outside city limits), or report online.
Word of the Day:
Gait: one’s manner of walking
* The information above was taken from City of Calgary’s website on May 17, 2021: Coyotes (calgary.ca)
