Give cute but not-so-cuddly coyote pups a wide berth in Brampton
Published April 15, 2024 at 1:50 pm
The city wants you to keep your four-legged neighbours in mind this spring as Brampton will soon be home to new litters of coyote pups.
Brampton residents share the city with many wildlife species, including urban coyotes which call the area home, and in some parts of the city all year round.
And with coyote mating season wrapping up last month, Brampton Animal Services wants residents to be prepared in case they run into protective coyote parents and their pups.
Coyote pupping season lasts from April through to July and the city says coyotes in Brampton will make dens to care for their pups. This means you’re more likely to see coyotes out and about in Brampton as they protect their pups from danger, including other coyotes.
They like to make dens in rural areas and ravines, valley lands and wooded areas in large cities. And while coyotes tend to avoid contact with humans, living near urban centres can cause them to become bolder as they get used to their surroundings.
Most coyote encounters happen when the animals are looking for food, a mate, or protecting their pups. And because of their similarities with domestic dogs, coyotes could treat your pets as either a threat or food.
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A coyote named Chester was rescued from a Brampton backyard in 2022, and there were multiple close encounters between humans and coyotes in Brampton and Caledon last year as well as two incidents of coyotes biting dogs.
The city has tips on how to be coyote-cautious during mating season and an interactive online map where you can report sightings.
What to do if you encounter a coyote:
- Stay calm: It might feel difficult, but if you’re in the community and are approached by a coyote, remain calm
- Do not run away: Running away from a coyote may encourage them to follow you
- Make yourself loud and large: If a coyote continues to approach you, make gestures and use objects to startle the coyote into running away – do not chase or touch the animal
- Call 9-1-1: Seek help if scaring the animal fails to avert danger.
Here are some tips to help safely share the city with coyotes:
- Dispose of waste properly and avoid littering
- Do not leave pet food bowls or water bowls outdoors
- Do not feed wildlife
- Remove clutter from your yard
- Keep cats indoors
- Be respectful of their habitats and exercise caution if a coyote is seen
- Do not approaching coyotes
- Keep pets on leashes
- Always supervise your pets outdoors, even in your backyard