Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation launches coyote education campaign

 January 22 2021 

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is launching a public education campaign to educate the public about co-existing with coyotes as coyotes continue to chase and nip at joggers and cyclists around Brockton Oval and Hollow Tree near Prospect Point in Stanley Park. 

Two more people were chased by coyotes last night. One of them was bitten and sought medical aid as a precaution. About 13 people have now been chased by coyotes. 

The Stanley Park Ecology Society and BC Conservation Officer Service began receiving reports of coyotes chasing people about three weeks ago. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Rangers shut down trails this week for a second time after more reports of coyotes approaching or nipping people. Unfortunately, people are removing the barriers or walking around them and continuing on the trails. 

Co-existing with coyotes

The campaign begins today. A ranger will be at a booth near Lumberman’s Arch with educational material such as a Co-existing with Coyotes pamphlet from the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Rangers will in in Stanley Park over the next two weeks to continue educating the public. 

Information signs regarding co-existing with wildlife have been installed throughout Stanley Park and hazard signs have been installed where trails have been closed near Brockton Oval and the Hollow Tree.

The BC Conservation Service Officers are back in Stanley Park working to capture the coyote involved in the latest incidents. 

About a dozen coyotes live in Stanley Park. They are naturally scared of people, but can become bold and aggressive if fed. If confronted by a coyote, people are asked to stay calm and not run as coyotes instinctively chase anything that runs away. Stand tall, keep arms overhead and yell ‘go away.’ Scaring coyotes helps modify their behaviour and restore a healthy boundary between them and people. 

People are advised not to feed coyotes or any other wildlife. Wildlife feeding is a significant issue in our parks, which has impacts to wildlife health and behaviour. It breaks down our healthy boundary with wildlife and can lead to aggressive animal behaviour towards people. And, please, respect barriers rangers have installed in the park.

Reporting

Report any coyote sightings to 3-1-1. In cases of aggressive coyote behaviour, call the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277 and 3-1-1.

Help us track coyotes in Stanley Park and the Lower Mainland by reporting to them to Co-Existing with Coyotes.