Urban coywolf

The Urban

Coywolf

Guide

Part wolf, part coyote, the coywolf is an intriguing new addition to many rural and urban areas across Canada. Co-existing with these wild animals can be tricky, especially as they come into closer contact with us, our pets, and our homes.

Are Coywolves dangerous?

Coywolf attacks on people are extremely rare. Like its coyote cousin, coywolves are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. Consider that dogs kill 15 to 20 people each year in the U.S., and that there have only been two fatal coyote attacks in North America in the past 500 years.

What to do if you encounter a coywolf

If you see a coywolf, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you. These naturally curious animals may watch you as you go about your business but that alone does not pose a threat. If however, you do run in to an aggressive coyote, there are several things you should know and do:

Never approach or touch a coywolf

Do not turn your back on, or run from, a coywolf

Back away from the coywolf while remaining calm

Stand tall, wave your hands and make lots of noise

Carry a flashlight at night to scare off coywolves

If a coywolf poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911

How to protect your pets from coywolves

While coywolves, by nature, are wary of humans, they are opportunistic feeders and have been known to kill cats and small dogs that have been left unattended. Larger dogs may be injured in a confrontation. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe:

Pets should not be left outside for any period of time unsupervised, especially at night, even in a fenced enclosure

Keep pet food indoors

Do not let your pets play with and/or chase coywolves

Coywolf-proofing
your property

Preventing a problem is a far better solution than dealing with conflict as it arises. Here are some ways to limit attractants and to help prevent encounters with coywolves at your home:

Use secure garbage containers with locking lids and store in an enclosed structure

Put garbage out the morning of a scheduled pickup

Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles

Pick ripe fruit and seed from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground

Protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse

Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coywolves may find cover and small animals

Use motion sensor lights

Close off spaces under porches, decks and sheds. Coywolves use these areas for denning and raising young

Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Wildlife Management

Code/Design: Robert Ballantyne @popjournalism