Coyotes
Coyote sightings are not uncommon within the Niagara Region.
You can report coyotes to Coyote Watch Canada by calling 905.931.2610 or by contacting the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940 or visit www.ontario.ca/mnrf
Emergency Situations: It is vital that anyone in an emergency situation with a coyote, such as a coyote cornering humans or showing signs of potential rabies, should call 9-1-1 immediately. Police are authorized to handle these situations and frequently engage with the Humane Society when they attend the call.
DO NOT CALL for coyote sightings. To report a coyote sighting visit https://www.coyotewatchcanada.com/site/report
Important:
- Wildlife, including coyotes, fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources - NOT the City of Thorold.
- The information provided on this webpage is meant purely for educational purposes.
- The information provided on this page is provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Coyote Watch Canada. Links to the websites for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Coyote Watch Canada are listed at the bottom of this webpage.
How to Prevent Coyotes from Visiting your Property
When coyote sightings increase, many times these sightings are due to humans intentionally or unintentionally providing a food source.
- Keep pet food and water bowls indoors. Pet food will attract coyotes to your yard.
- Keep trash cans covered.
- Put garbage out the morning of collection (not the night before)
- Pick ripened fruit and clean all rotted fallen fruit off the ground.
- Do not allow a large amount of wild bird seed to remain on your lawn. Bird seed not only attracts birds, but rabbits, squirrels, and rodents, which are prey for coyotes.
- Keep pets under strict control. Coyotes are most active between the hours of dusk and dawn. Therefore, leash all dogs and accompany them for walks. Keep pets indoors at night or enclosed in kennels.
- Keep cats indoors. Letting cats roam can actually draw coyotes into the area.
- Be a good visitor when outdoors - "leave no trace." Carry out leftover food, garbage and dog feces.
How to Handle Coyotes
Always be prepared and aware of your surroundings when enjoying the outdoors. If a coyote is near:
- Pick up small children and pets
- Never run from or turn your back on a coyote
- Slowly back away
- Wave your arms above your head
- Be BIG and LOUD! Yell "Go away!"
- Use hazing techniques such as shaking car keys, popping an umbrella, throwing an object in the direction of the coyote.
- Carry a flashlight at night
How to Report Coyotes
You can report coyotes to Coyote Watch Canada by calling 905.931.2610.
- Reporting coyotes is for tracking purposes only - NOT the removal of coyotes.
- For trapped, injured or distressed coyotes, please contact Niagara Region Animal Services (NRAS).
- NRAS does NOT trap and release urban wildlife, including coyotes.
Consequences of Feeding Wildlife
Feeding wild animals may do more harm than good.
Threats to wildlife
- Animals can become dependent on artificial food sources
- Animals can lose their natural fear of humans and pets, becoming more prone to conflict
-
'Food-conditioning' wildlife impacts their natural foraging and hunting behaviours and may lead to an increase in proximity tolerance to people
- Wild animals may gather in large numbers when they are being fed — this concentration of animals in one area can spread parasites and disease and cause destruction of natural habitat
- Feeding animals near roads increases their risk of being hit by vehicles
Threats to people
- Feeding wildlife may attract "unwanted" animals to your property
- Animals will learn to associate humans with food, and can become a problem to neighbours
- Habituated animals can become aggressive
- Feeding animals near roads increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents, resulting in property damage, injury or death
The information provided on this webpage is meant purely for educational purposes
Please refer to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Coyote Watch Canada for additional information on coyotes.
- Ministry of Natural Resources - Preventing and Managing Conflicts with Coyotes, Wolves and Foxes
- Ministry of Natural Resources - Feeding Wildlife: Do's and Don'ts
- Ministry of Natural Resources - Encounters with Coyotes (PDF)
- Ministry of Natural Resources - Protecting Dogs from Coyotes (PDF)
- Ministry of Natural Resources - The Nature of Coyotes (PDF)
- Coyote Watch Canada
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