Residents have say on coyote problem
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Charelle Evelyn
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Residents who have been long-concerned about the presence of coyotes in their neighbourhoods had the opportunity last week to comment and ask questions directly to those who have the authority to do something about it.
About 100 people filled the Osgoode Community Centre Feb. 18 to take part in a public meeting on coyotes hosted by Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod with officials from the City of Ottawa and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
"Regardless of what side of the equation you're on you have to admit there is a problem," said Osgoode Coun. Doug Thompson, who has been working on the issue of coyotes for three years and has heard the differing opinions on how to handle the animals.
"There is a fear out there and it's something we have to deal with," he said, referencing the reports of coyotes walking down the street during the day and schools going into lockdown because of a sighting nearby.
Part of the purpose of the meeting was an attempt to alleviate some of those fears through presentations by MNR and city staff.
Coyotes become problematic when they become habituated and no longer associate humans with danger, said MNR biologist Scott Smithers. Where there used be a low tolerance for the animals, Mr. Smithers said there is now a curiosity and in some cases, attempts to tame them.
"If we don't let them get habituated, we won't have to resort to lethal measures in the future," he said.
Christine Hartig, a policy officer with the city's emergency and protective services department agreed with the notion that coyotes are not to blame for the current predicament.
"If a coyote becomes habituated, it's probably our doing," she said.
To keep coyotes from becoming overly familiar is going to take a concerted effort and require some concessions from residents, said Mr. Smithers. For example, removing bird feeders from your property will eliminate the attraction of the coyotes to the other small animals that like birdseed.
The ministry has recently announced that it will authorize the trapping of coyotes, as requested by the city.
"I had a great meeting with (Minister) Linda Jeffries," said Ms. MacLeod. "She has committed to directing MNR officials to targeting and mapping (the coyote population)."
The city is also urging residents to report all coyote sightings so that they can create a database to target problem coyotes.
According to Ms. Hartig, the city is also working with the ministry to develop as seven-step approach to determine if a coyote needs to be removed.
However, the concern for some residents lies in what in going to happen in the meantime.
"How high do you set the bar before you determine a coyote is a problem," asked Kars resident Mike Maguire. "The risk is if you're wrong, there's a real issue."
Coun. Thompson recommended that anyone who feels as though their safety or the safety of a child is threatened by an animal call the police before they report it to the city's information line, 3-1-1.
Other speakers, including Metcalfe resident Linda Craig expressed concerns over those who prefer to take the problem into their own hands.
"I have seen some nasty behaviour," said Ms. Craig, referring to hunters with loaded rifles on the road and coming across illegal leg-hole traps.
"The reality is there is middle ground," said Ms. MacLeod, who said she was pleased with the minister's response to her request for action. "This issue isn't political. I've got constituents who are nervous."
The City of Ottawa passed a wildlife strategy through city council last week, to establish further methods of dealing with habituated wildlife.
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