Good grief! There’s been another coyote attack in Nova Scotia. You’d think these clever beasts would be keeping a low profile, considering the bounty that’s been placed on them. This time, a farmer in Hants county had the back of his jacket torn by one while he was shoveling snow. He managed to fend it off without being injured.
Since October 2009, coyote encounters noted in the media have included one in Cape Breton where a female hiker was mauled and killed; another where a teenager (who should have heeded park warnings to not sleep outdoors without a tent) awoke to find coyote jaws around her head; and one in a neighborhood in Spryfield, where a Nova Scotia Power meter reader managed to fend off a potential attack when he inadvertently got between an adult and pups.
Many believe that the bounty announced on Earth Day 2010 is the best solution to the problem at least for the short term. However, in a pack, usually only the alpha male and female reproduce. If they’re killed, the entire pack will begin reproducing, therefore increasing the population the following year. It seems like the short term solution could create larger problems in the future. Regardless of the potential for an increase in the birth of pups this spring, the Department of Natural Resources believes that a bounty can be effective simply by re-enforcing the coyote population’s natural fear of humans. Could they be right? We’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources is advising people confronted with coyotes to “back away, act large, make noise and fight back.” Hopefully wise coyotes will also re-examine their tactics and back away to more remote spaces, act timid, make do with food in the wild and fight back by writing letters to the editor to complain about loss of habitat.
Why are they going after people not animals?
wolfrosebud, that is the mystery. It’s thought by some that they have lost their natural fear of humans. They may have grown accustomed to eating from compost piles and dead livestock that are left in the open by farmers. In that one case of the meter reader who was attacked, the reason was likely that he got between an adult and some pups.
The eastern coyotes we have here in Nova Scotia are quite a bit larger than the ones found in the Southwest so they are more intimidating to humans.
We had a bob cat threat last fall. We live close to a State Park (hiking, camping, lake). Everyone was in an up-roar, since the thing was going after small livestock. Our DNR (people in authority) claimed it was nothing. Two weeks ago I asked at the park, we went snow shoeing, if anything came of the bob cat. She smiled and said they had found him. We are 30miles away from a big city. I live on eleven acres. Who knows what one will find in the backyard. Stay safe…
You’re right Patricia, you never know when you’re going to find out back!
Last year I saw two bobcats in my backyard. See:
https://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/bobcats-in-the-backyard/ Since then, there have been many sightings by others in Cow Bay. So far I don’t think they’ve done anything other than keep to themselves.
Only last night, from bed, we heard the non-unusual chorus of coyotes outside our farmhouse, and yes, they are large, more wolf-size, and not at all those scruffy little Western coyotes from the Roadrunner cartoons. Amy-Lynn, thank you for sharing this news, unsettling as it is. Other than seeing the animals from a distance, I’ve only had two relatively close encounters. The first one was on an isolated path through the woods, and when the coyote and I saw each other, we both stopped and stared, then turned in opposite directions. The other time a coyote was on the neighbor’s hill just up our driveway. That time I yelled and waved my arms, wanting it to go away. It stood its ground a while, disdainfully as it seemed to me, and then trotted off in no big hurry. They are beautiful animals and exciting to have in the neighborhood, but I do appreciate a little distance between them and me.
Pamela, I haven’t heard any coyote choruses out here (yet). I too have only ever seen them a couple of times from a distance. They are lovely creatures but the distance between us and them is indeed key to our being able to live together in peace.
Perhaps, you should carry a big stick… or something.
Patricia, I already have my coyote sticks. See:
Unfortunately, I keep forgetting to take them along with me on walks.
Wow – I’m surprised by this – and I had no idea the eastern coyotes are bigger than the western versions.
We have them resident here – been awhile, but sometimes you can see them on the streets late at night in the summer.
Dawn, I was surprised to discover this too. It’s believed that the smaller coyotes bred with timber wolves at some point to create the larger variety of eastern coyote.
Though I have seen a coyote near the intersection of Bissett and Cow Bay roads, the red foxes are a more common sighting here.
P.S. – beautiful drawing!
Thanks Dawn. I didn’t have any photos so had to create something visual to go with my post!
Natural Resources actually advises people to not to try and take photographs of coyotes. They really want people to keep a good distance between themselves and the wild creatures and that makes sense.
Wow, Amy, that was such a beautiful drawing, that when I first opened the page, it almost looked real!
I find it so strange that coyotes are actually deliberately coming close to humans and settlements. I would’ve thought they’d be far more likely to keep their distance? I somehow can’t imagine them being naturally aggressive or predatory towards human beings…
Reggie, thank you. Glad you liked the drawing.
It is very strange that they are coming so close to people. They’re such opportunists that maybe it’s easier for them to find food near humans than in the wild. One theory suggests that the oddly aggressive ones may be ‘coy-dogs,’ a mix between coyotes and pet dogs.
Hopefully cat owners have the sense to keep their cats indoors.
Amy, if u were here, it would be even more agonizing to you…here we are in conflict with cheetahs, elephants, tigers…sigh.
swaps, I can’t even imagine how awful that would be. Keeping everyone happy and safe must be an incredible challenge to the wildlife authorities in India.
Orion magazine recently had a very informative story about the migration of coyotes across the country and even into NYC where apparently they enjoy “playing” golf.
I know that no domestic pet is safe from becoming a meal their meal. And I’ve encountered them in broad daylight crossing lanes of traffic in Tinley Park, Il. But these reports are the first I’ve read of so much out right direct “confrontation.”
We humans might consider the coyotes and other wild animals as threats to us–and indeed they are in a real sense. But I suggest we all take a good look at what human population sprawl has done to the natural environments and continuining destruction of habitat. Take a moment to imagine US from their perspective and who is the threat to existence then? Generally, as long as “wild” animals are a sage distance we adore them. But not when they’re up close and personal. We simply are ignorant of how to live together and share the world in balance. We’re an arrogant, selfish speices in very many ways. Yes, I find these attacks distrubing–but I also am NOT surprised.
47whitebuffalo, loss of habitat due to expansion is likely a chief cause of the problem. I always wonder why the urbanization of these wild spaces couldn’t be done a bit more slowly so as to give the animals a chance to find other homes. When huge tracts of land are changed overnight, it can’t help but be a shock to these wild creatures. Animals in shock can’t possibly be expected to be on their best behaviour. I am not surprised at the attacks either.
I’ve heard that coyotes infest most of the East Coast of the United States. Where I live in Florida, coyotes are on the fringes of town, foraying in now and then to carry off cats. A lot of the male strays have disappeared in the past few years. We lost Blue and Johnny Wong, we think, to coyotes. Problem is, no natural predators, and unless a town wants guys roaming town at night shooting at them, there isn’t much they can do. I also heard they’ve been spotted in New York City, coming out of a railway tunnel. Your drawing is great – no malice in it, just a keen sense of observation by the coyote. Waiting. Yikes. – Brendan
Brendan, that is too bad about your cats. Any cats I’ve ever had were indoor ones. I always thought it was too risky to let them out.
Wolves were all killed off in Nova Scotia long ago. Coyotes moved in to fill that vacuum in the ecosystem. Some have suggested bringing wolves back to control the coyote population.
Since coyotes are so clever and adaptable, I’m not surprised that they’ve been found in NYC.
As for the drawing, I always wonder when I am in the woods, what wild creatures are monitoring my movements. Just because I don’t see a coyote, doesn’t mean they don’t see me. That’s what I hoped to capture in my drawing of one watching from behind a tree. For every coyote that attacks a human, there are many others that keep to themselves and only want to be left alone in their wild spaces.
I wonder why coyotes have not attacked people in our area? People around here are livid–I do not use the word lightly–about the number of wolves. Wolves have attacked and killed a couple of dogs and there has been a huge debate in the local newspaper about it. Do you have more coyotes in a smaller space there in your part of Nova Scotia?
Kathy, I don’t know if coyotes find themselves in a more confined spaces here than in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Nova Scotia is also a peninsula which limits the ability of wild creatures to move to more remote areas. I can only tell you that I’m amazed at how quickly wild spaces in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) have been transformed into subdivisions and business parks in the past 20 years.
People would certainly be upset with wolves killing their pets. I think most people like the idea of wild creatures in the vicinity as long as encounters are limited to rare sightings from a safe range and the sound of distant howling at night.
Amy-Lynn, a friend sent me this link just today: http://dogs4ppp.wordpress.com/category/coyote-updates/
It has to do with the coyote sightings in Point Pleasant Park right in Halifax. There’s even a photo of the coyote that was sighted there.
Sybil, thank you so much for providing the link. That is a lot of sightings. Even though Point Pleasant Park is on the other side of Halifax Harbour from Eastern Passage and Cow Bay, it just goes to show how pervasive the coyote population is getting.
Considering how often you walk your dogs there, it’s probably just a matter of time before you see one yourself.
I love your drawing, Amy-Lynn, it would be startling to be walking in the woods and suddenly notice one looking at me from behind a tree!
My sister takes walks with her blind cat outside now after spotting a coyote a couple of times in the woods on the property. He’s always been an outdoor cat so he objects strenuously to being confined inside.
Tim & I have only seen a coyote down here once, three years ago, when we were driving home in the wee hours of the morning. A coyote was standing in the middle lane of the three lane interstate. We slowed way down and he kept his eyes on our car, but didn’t budge as we very slowly passed him in the right lane. An awesome, handsome creature!
Thank you Barbara. Yes it would be VERY startling to see one looking out like that from behind a tree.
Outdoor cats do protest at becoming indoor cats overnight. They do have the advantage of being able to climb trees to reach safety but they might not be as quick as a hungry coyote.
With their long legs and intelligent eyes they are certainly beautiful animals.
I hear the coyotes singing in the swampy area between here and the highway. There are more of them than there used to be, and it’s worrying. I really hate it when one of the dogs decides to take off on me. Wild always wins.
Gerry, I have never heard them singing here. That is interesting that their numbers are growing in your neck of the woods too. You’ve mentioned before your belief that wild always wins. I like the idea of that, but it’s not a comforting thought when it involves beloved pets.
I didn’t hear about the attack in Hants County . . . that’s the next county over to me! Haven’t heard them singing in the night in a while though, but maybe that’s because I have the windows closed at this time of year.
Grace, who knows, they may be coming to a woods near you sometime soon… The attack took place just the weekend before last. Maybe it takes awhile for word to get around.
First, it’s wonderful to see your sensitive drawing. Beautifully done. I also wonder when I’m out in the woods how many critters are aware of my every move despite my not seeing any of them.
The coyotes here are still happy with their habitat – adapting better than many animals to the oil development and logging of the forests. Although they do come close to our horse paddocks and seem to try to lure the dogs away, most (of the dogs) are too smart to follow them far. I’ve only heard of one that did (he is a bit ditsy) and he was hurt, but not killed. I wonder if it won’t just be a matter of time though before they become ‘desensitized’ to human presence.
You wrote, “…and fight back by writing letters to the editor to complain about loss of habitat”, I think your local coyotes have decided on a different plan. They do say that the best defence is a good offense, but I’m afraid that this is one case where wild will not win.
Cindy, glad you liked the drawing.
Coyotes seem to be quite expert at adapting to changing environments. It will be interesting to see whether or not the bounty here is deemed a success.
That is a beautiful depiction of the coyote “watching you trek through the woods”. I always wonder too, what is watching me that I can’t see at all when I’m hiking.
It’s very frightening to think that they would come attack someone while shoveling snow! Quite scary. We have them here, but I’ve never seen one.
Thanks Millhill. It’s probably a good sign that you’ve never seen one. I think they’ve been watching us for some time, but in Nova Scotia are unfortunately feeling more and more comfortable to come out of the woods among people. Apparently, one of the factors that makes them bolder is frequent exposure to non-aggressive humans in their territory.