Safety Tips: Co-existing with Coyotes

Coyotes have been seen in the vicinity of some of our schools over the years. If you see a coyote near a school, we ask that you contact the school to inform them. Coyotes adapt very well to a variety of environments, including urban, rural, and wilderness areas, so it's not unusual for them to be seen within city limits. Generally, they are timid creatures that avoid human contact; however, caution should always be used.

To reduce the chance of conflict: 

• Don't leave your pet outdoors unattended.
• Don't feed wildlife (even coyote prey, such as birds and rabbits)—by feeding coyotes or coyote prey, you run the risk of making coyotes comfortable in approaching people and potentially aggressive.
• Feed pets indoors—leaving pet food outdoors may attract coyotes.
• Clean up pet waste in your yard regularly.
• Store garbage in secure containers.
• Keep compost bins inaccessible to wildlife.
• Clean up any spilled seed from bird feeders.
• Clean up any fallen fruit daily—coyotes feed on fallen fruit and the prey attracted to it.
• Consider using fencing at least two meters tall.

If you encounter a coyote:

• Do not approach the coyote—give it an escape route.
• Do not run—move away quietly when it is not looking in your direction.
• Pick up small children or pets.
• If it approaches you, make eye contact, stand tall, make noise, shout, and throw projectiles at hand.
• Raise your arms or a jacket above your head to appear large—continue until it leaves the area.

For more information about reducing the risk of conflict with coyotes and other wildlife, visit www.manitoba.ca/human-wildlife. To report wildlife showing aggressive behaviour or that appear sick, injured, or orphaned, call the Manitoba wildlife TIP line at 1.800.782.0076.