Rangers on hand in Stanley Park after spate of coyote encounters

Animals chase 13 people in less than month, sparking safety campaign and trail closures

Rangers have been sent to Stanley Park and a big swath of the downtown green space has been taped off after a pair of fresh coyote encounters.

The rangers plan to hit the park for a couple of weeks to spread information about the behaviour of the dozen-odd canines that are local to the park, and about what people can do to prevent or diffuse aggressive encounters.

The big thing is to never feed them, say park board staff.

The information campaign comes after two more people were chased by coyotes last week, bringing the total to 13 in less than a month. One of the people was bitten, according to the Vancouver park board. The encounters have happened around Brockton Oval and the Hollow Tree near Prospect Point, and many trails in the area have been closed.

DON'T FEED COYOTES

Coyotes are naturally timid and scared of people, but they can get bold and aggressive if they are fed, according to the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Feeding them is bad for their health and it can cause them to lose their natural fear of people, making it only a matter of time until they are destroyed, according to the society.

Feeding coyotes is also an offence under the Wildlife Act. The province calls for anyone seen feeding or attracting dangerous wildlife to be reported at 1-877-952-7277. Indirect feeding can also lead to coyotes becoming aggressive, according to the province.

SCARE THEM AWAY

Scaring coyotes can help maintain distance between people or pets and coyotes, according to the society. Acting big, brave and loud by waving arms and sticks, throwing things and shouting will help keep space.

Don't run. It could trigger a hunt or play drive in the animal, and you can't outrun them anyway. Coyotes can hit 65 km/h in a sprint and comfortably maintain 30 km/h, according to the society.

If a coyote is not deterred by that kind of behaviour or starts to be aggressive, keep eye contact, pick up pets or children, and slowly back away, according to the society. Then call the ministry of environment, also at 1-877-952-7277.

A ranger will be posted at a booth near Lumbermen's Arch with information prepared by the Stanley Park Ecology Society, according to park board.

The society has posted information in several languages on its website about coexisting with coyotes.

Conservation officers are now trying to catch the coyote that chased the latest visitors.

NICK PROCAYLO Warning signs have been posted on the trails in Stanley Park as part of a park board public education campaign on how to co-exist with coyotes after several recent reports of coyotes chasing and nipping at joggers and cyclists near Prospect Point.