Richmond residents were getting an up-close and personal view of our local wildlife this week.
Our curious co-habitant coyote population has been getting a little bit familiar this week, especially in the likes of the Seafair neighbourhood in west Richmond.
The wild creatures have been snapped lounging around in cul-de-sacs and driveways, with some people on social media joking that they might be simply assessing the movements of local pets.
One was spotted as recently as Wednesday morning on Fairway Road, just northwest of No. 1 and Francis roads, close to the coyote’s happy hunting ground of the West Dyke Trail.
While another was photographed recently taking a break on someone’s driveway in the Monds, just north of Steveston.
According to the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s coyote sightings map, seven have been reported between Oct. 1 and 6 in the Steveston and Seafair areas, which doesn’t appear to include the aforementioned ones.
One resident on Facebook commented that a coyote came as close as four feet from him last Friday.
While another said her neighbours reported one of the Seafair sightings to conservation officers, who apparently came out, inspected the animal and released it.
Coyote experts say the fall is "dispersal season"
The Stanley Park Ecology Society has a notice on its website, informing the public that August to December is known as the “Coyote End-Of-Breeding Season.”
“We’re in a time of higher coyote activity as pups are finished being reared in and around their dens,” reads the notice.
“Autumn is the dispersal season for many young coyotes living in Vancouver. As the pups become mature, many of the family groups will start to kick out some of their young.
“Young and curious coyotes will be out exploring and learning skills needed for survival and we may often come into contact with them.”
The society said the public can “reinforce their natural fear of people by scaring them away from public spaces if they are seen during the daytime.”
To avoid conflicts and maintain a healthy barrier between humans and coyotes, you are asked to:
Report encounters and sightings by calling 604-681-WILD, filling out the online form available on our website, or using the VanConnect app.
Keep dogs on-leash and cats indoors to prevent any potential harm to pets.
Should you encounter a coyote, be BIG, BOLD, and LOUD, and carry hazing tools that make loud noises such as a coyote shaker to scare coyotes away.
Do not run away from a coyote; this may invite it to chase you.
Assess properties for food attractants. Remove any food sources like open trash or compost. Cut down overgrown vegetation and (if unoccupied) close off any openings that can be used as dens.
