Burlington, Ont.—March 27, 2024— The City of Burlington is reminding residents about steps they can take to manage coyote sightings during denning and pup season.
Coyotes typically give birth between April and May, with the average litter size around four to seven pups. Coyote sightings and encounters normally increase in the spring and summer while coyotes protect their den and pups begin exploring. If you see a coyote, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.
While naturally wary of humans, coyotes will seek food and shelter in residential neighbourhoods when they are being fed on purpose or by accident. The top five things residents can do to help deter coyotes include:
Feeding coyotes, on purpose or by accident, teaches them to depend on human handouts and can cause them to become too familiar with humans. This familiarization can lead to aggressive behaviour around people and dogs.
Coyotes may see pets as a threat to their territory and may attack, especially when there is a den site nearby. Always keep dogs on a short leash (less than six feet long) when walking outdoors. Make sure your cats and dogs are not left alone outside, even in your fenced backyard.
Residential neighbourhoods are an ideal coyote habitat with access to water, shelter and food sources like garbage, pet food, fruit trees and birdfeeders. Make sure your property is tidy and clear of garbage, food, brush and wood piles which are ideal den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.
Make sure spaces around and under decks, sheds and similar structures are closed off with wire screening that extends at least 20 centimetres under the ground.
Discouraging coyotes takes vigilance. Ongoing efforts by the entire community to haze coyotes can help to re-instill their fear of humans and stop unwelcome behaviour.
Use one or more of these hazing techniques every time you see a coyote to help move it out of a residential area:
Report coyote sightings online at www.burlington.ca/coyote. Call 9-1-1- if a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.
Residents can request an audit of their yard for coyote attractants by Animal Control staff by contacting Service Burlington via email (city@burlington.ca) or phone (905-335-7777).
Additionally, Animal Services are continuing to host educational pop-up sessions. Every Thursday through the spring and summer months, residents can drop by various City facilities to learn about coyote-proofing their property, and what to do if they see a coyote. Whistles used for hazing coyotes are also available for free. Dates, locations and details regarding pop-ups are available at burlington.ca/coyote.
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“Coyote sightings are common in Burlington but hazing, inspecting your property, and avoiding attractants are all things we can all do to make sure coyotes stay wild animals and stay away from people and pets. We look forward to increasing the frequency of our education pop-up sessions to accommodate residents busy summer schedules.”
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Media contact:
City of Burlington Corporate Communications