WOLFVILLE, N.S. — On a walk down the private road near Cherry Lane recently, a Wolfville resident spotted two coyotes acting disturbed.
The resident, who was walking his dog, said the pair followed them quite closely within 50 metres. He suspected that maybe a den with cubs was somewhere nearby.
Putting out a warning for those walking that way, he determined that others had had similar experiences this spring.
Nova Scotia had a coyote ‘pelt incentive program’ for trappers, which ended in 2015. DNR staff told CBC that it was thought it reduced the overall number of sightings.
The five-year program was launched in response to the unusual death of Taylor Mitchell, the Toronto folk singer who died after being attacked by coyotes in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in 2009.
Back in 2013, Fundy Film in Wolfville screened the documentary, Bad Coyote, which was made by Valley resident Jason Young.
Bad Coyote explores the confrontations, controversy and complexities surrounding the relationship between humans and nature. One of the five central characters in the film is Lance Bishop, a farmer from Baxter's Harbour.
The DNR web site advises Nova Scotians who encounter a coyote in the wild to leave the area immediately.
It notes that coyotes are very adaptable, and will live in and near human settlements, including urban areas. DNR also recommends always walking dogs on leash.
CBC in Calgary recently reported on a pair of coyotes with nine pups that had taken up residence in the stone wall of a subdivision. Neighbours had observed at least one very protective parent, and city officials asked the public to keep a respectable distance.
GET INFORMED, REPORT SIGHTINGS
Back in March, the Town of Wolfville’s Facebook page indicated that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had been advised about sightings and a link to general information on the wild animals was offered: https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/nuisance/coyotes-faq.asp.
Anyone seeing a coyote was asked to submit a ‘sighting form’ online: https://novascotia.ca/…/living-wit…/coyote-sighting-form.asp. Those with concerns can contact DNR at 1-800-565-2224.
