If Richmond’s resident coyotes are getting too close for your comfort – or even living in your backyard – then learn to the live with it.
That is, essentially, the message from authorities when it comes to the wild animals venturing into our cul de sacs, sleeping on our driveways and setting up camp in our backyards.
Over the last few weeks, the Richmond News has received multiple reports from residents of Steveston and west Richmond concerned that the coyotes are getting way too familiar.
It’s not unusual for the animals to be spotted in and around the city, especially in the fall, when young males are dispatched from their dens to fend for themselves.
Steveston resident Anna Bouwers has small children and a small dog and the coyotes living in her complex are clearly “not afraid.”
“There have been two living in the complex for over a week,” she said.
“They carry a disease, called roundworm, which is also disturbing.
“There are coyotes running wild everywhere (here).”
Resident passed around authorities with coyote concern
Feeling sure someone in authority would help, Bouwers called the City of Richmond’s animal control department, who told her to call the BC SPCSA, who told her to call the B.C. conservation officer.
“I’ve been told by conservation that they can’t do anything unless they bite someone,” said Bouwers, adding that the officer told her to call a trapper and pay for it herself.
“Many people are complaining about these coyotes living in backyards and complexes etc.
“Even the woman I spoke to at (the SPCA) said she would be concerned if it was her neighbourhood.
“We are all just hoping the city will take some accountability here.”
Indeed, when the News tried to get to the bottom of who people need to call on, we got identical results to Bouwers.
City spokesperson Clay Adams told us that the city “doesn’t oversee coyotes” and recommended anyone who experiences an issue to call BC Conservation.
“We are aware that people seem to be paying more attention to coyotes recently, possibly due to the media interest they garnered in Stanley Park last year,” added Adams. “There have been no incidents reported to the city related to coyotes.”
A spokesperson for the BC SPCA said she understood how unnerving it can be to have coyotes living in such close proximity.
But she added that, while they can provide advice on co-existence – in terms of how to behave around coyotes - if there are concerns about the behaviour of a particular coyote, “the best option is to call the Conservation Officer Service.”
Conservation ministry unable to help
The News contacted the B.C. conservation officer – which comes under the auspices of the B.C. Ministry of Environment – with the concerns of the residents.
A spokesperson there, via email, gave us a raft of website links to refer the residents to for safety tips and also suggested contacting the Stanley Park Ecology Society, which tracks the movement and sightings of coyotes in the region.
Asked about the apparent proliferation of coyotes and their behaviour in the Steveston and west Richmond area, the spokesperson then suggested contacting the Wildlife Branch under the Ministry of Forests.
The Conservation Officer’s website, under “human-wildlife contact” states that:
“Conservation Officers respond to conflicts with dangerous wildlife where there is a risk to public safety. Examples of these situations include responding to attacks, bears breaking into buildings, repeated dangerous wildlife encounters at or near public locations, and situations where dangerous wildlife has become habituated (no longer afraid of humans) or food conditioned (dependent upon human provided foods) and now present a risk to public safety.”
Coexisting with coyotes: https://spca.bc.ca/news/co-existing-with-coyotes/
Coyote in the city: https://spca.bc.ca/faqs/i-saw-coyote-city/
Coyotes: https://spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/take-action/urban-wildlife/coyotes/
