scooter
01-30-2009, 08:41 AM
Little can be done to keep coyotes away, expert says
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The coyotes are back, and a wildlife expert says there is just one thing rural dwellers, and even suburban residents, can do. Learn to live with them.
On Wednesday, the reported sighting of a wandering coyote was enough to interrupt a skating outing for Grade 3 students at St. John Apostle Elementary School in Leslie Park, near Greenbank Road and Baseline Road.
There have been no reported cases in Ontario of a coyote attacking a person. However, the coyote's appearance raised so many concerns that the principal at St. John Apostle sent home a calming letter to parents.
In a Greely subdivision in rural south Ottawa, a coyote snatched a small poodle from the backyard of Kim Watson's home.
Ms. Watson said her daughter released her three dogs outside Saturday afternoon and was horrified when a coyote picked up the 5.5-kilogram poodle mix breed and darted away, leaving a trail of blood in the snow. "She panicked and ran after it because she didn't know what to do," said Ms. Watson, a resident of Gray's Creek Estates.
Last winter, a city councillor resorted to hiring trappers who used leghold traps to capture coyotes roaming the Greely area. It seemed to work for a while, but now the animals are back on the prowl for food in the cold winter season. "My daughter was pretty upset after it happened and called our neighbour (to help). I remember it was a big problem last year," said Ms. Watson, adding that during the night, she can hear the coyotes howling.
An Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources biologist said the coyote population is on the rise and, naturally, there will be more sightings. And with more urban sprawl, there's going to be far greater instances when coyotes come in contact with humans. "To let a dog out loose, especially a small poodle, you're ringing the dinner bell unfortunately for a coyote," said Scott Smithers, a ministry biologist.
He said homeowners in rural areas must change their ways to prevent coyotes from invading their turf. He said they should not let their small pets roam outdoors, and garbage cans should be kept in the garage, adding that coyotes are also attracted to bird feeders and backyard compost piles. "As Ottawa continues to expand further into these rural landscapes there's potential to come in contact with wildlife. It's the natural habitats of these coyotes," he said. "Trapping coyotes is extremely difficult and they are a very cunning animal. Most trappers will tell you they're one of the most difficult animals to trap because they have such a keen sense of smell," said Mr. Smithers.
Ottawa councillor Doug Thompson said he's received numerous calls and e-mails from residents in Greely complaining about coyote sightings in his ward. He said the cost of hiring trappers to catch coyotes last year came out of his office budget, but this time around he's going to approach the city to foot the bill.
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PUBLICATION: The Ottawa Citizen
DATE: 2009.01.23
EDITION: Final
SECTION: City
PAGE: F1 / FRONT
ILLUSTRATION: Colour Photo: Pat McGrath, The Ottawa Citizen / Kim Watson'sdaughter, Stephany, holds their dog, Cleopatra. One of their other dogs, Lillylou, a small poodle mix, was carted away by a coyote last Saturday. ;
BYLINE: Tony Lofaro
SOURCE: The Ottawa Citizen
WORD COUNT: 436
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The coyotes are back, and a wildlife expert says there is just one thing rural dwellers, and even suburban residents, can do. Learn to live with them.
On Wednesday, the reported sighting of a wandering coyote was enough to interrupt a skating outing for Grade 3 students at St. John Apostle Elementary School in Leslie Park, near Greenbank Road and Baseline Road.
There have been no reported cases in Ontario of a coyote attacking a person. However, the coyote's appearance raised so many concerns that the principal at St. John Apostle sent home a calming letter to parents.
In a Greely subdivision in rural south Ottawa, a coyote snatched a small poodle from the backyard of Kim Watson's home.
Ms. Watson said her daughter released her three dogs outside Saturday afternoon and was horrified when a coyote picked up the 5.5-kilogram poodle mix breed and darted away, leaving a trail of blood in the snow. "She panicked and ran after it because she didn't know what to do," said Ms. Watson, a resident of Gray's Creek Estates.
Last winter, a city councillor resorted to hiring trappers who used leghold traps to capture coyotes roaming the Greely area. It seemed to work for a while, but now the animals are back on the prowl for food in the cold winter season. "My daughter was pretty upset after it happened and called our neighbour (to help). I remember it was a big problem last year," said Ms. Watson, adding that during the night, she can hear the coyotes howling.
An Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources biologist said the coyote population is on the rise and, naturally, there will be more sightings. And with more urban sprawl, there's going to be far greater instances when coyotes come in contact with humans. "To let a dog out loose, especially a small poodle, you're ringing the dinner bell unfortunately for a coyote," said Scott Smithers, a ministry biologist.
He said homeowners in rural areas must change their ways to prevent coyotes from invading their turf. He said they should not let their small pets roam outdoors, and garbage cans should be kept in the garage, adding that coyotes are also attracted to bird feeders and backyard compost piles. "As Ottawa continues to expand further into these rural landscapes there's potential to come in contact with wildlife. It's the natural habitats of these coyotes," he said. "Trapping coyotes is extremely difficult and they are a very cunning animal. Most trappers will tell you they're one of the most difficult animals to trap because they have such a keen sense of smell," said Mr. Smithers.
Ottawa councillor Doug Thompson said he's received numerous calls and e-mails from residents in Greely complaining about coyote sightings in his ward. He said the cost of hiring trappers to catch coyotes last year came out of his office budget, but this time around he's going to approach the city to foot the bill.
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PUBLICATION: The Ottawa Citizen
DATE: 2009.01.23
EDITION: Final
SECTION: City
PAGE: F1 / FRONT
ILLUSTRATION: Colour Photo: Pat McGrath, The Ottawa Citizen / Kim Watson'sdaughter, Stephany, holds their dog, Cleopatra. One of their other dogs, Lillylou, a small poodle mix, was carted away by a coyote last Saturday. ;
BYLINE: Tony Lofaro
SOURCE: The Ottawa Citizen
WORD COUNT: 436
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