The coyotes that reside within Vancouver city limits have been on an attack spree for most of 2021. Officials are unsure what started the spree, but since the beginning of 2021 40 adults and 5 children have reported being attacked by coyotes in Stanley Park. Stanley Park sits near the west end neighborhood of Vancouver. Likewise, the 1,000-acre park is bordered by Vancouver Bay on the east and the Burrard Inlet to the west. Despite efforts to limit use in the part after dark, 6 attacks have happened in less than 12 days.
Vancouver’s Stanley Park is home to skunks, raccoons, and other small wildlife. As a result, of these animals living there, some coyotes have moved into the area looking for easier food sources. The B.C. Ministry of Forests estimates that only 12-13 coyotes live within the park and are unsure why they have suddenly started to attack and harass humans. Earlier this year a few coyotes we captured. None of those coyotes tested for any diseases so the reason for the attacks remains a mystery. Most of the time coyotes at the very least will keep their distance from humans in the park.
Coyotes Attacking Children
On August 31st, the Vancouver Park Board announced that they would be closing the park from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. This was done with hopes of limiting coyote attacks. However, on that very day, 3 more coyote attacks were reported in the park. In those attacks at least two children were attacked. Neither of the children was reported as being seriously hurt. However, with coyotes, rabies is always a concern. In the most recent attacks, it looks like multiple coyotes attacked a mother and children. Likewise, The B.C. Ministry of Forests has received reports of people feeding the coyotes within the park. Feeding these animals may have caused the coyotes to lose their fear of humans and look at them as a food source.
Due to the recent attacks, two Vancouver Park Board commissioners have served 48 hours’ notice to set up a special meeting. This meeting is to discuss options for removing the coyotes from Stanley Park. One commissioner felt that they may have let the public down.
“I certainly feel like the board has perhaps not been strong enough on this, and has let the public down, certainly in terms of public safety.” – Comm. John Coupar
Comm. Coupar would like to work with wildlife officials to create a plan to remove the coyotes from the park. This is the main reason for the special meeting that is being called by the two commissions.
After the attacks on the two children has seemed to prompt the board to heavily discuss the removal of the coyotes from the Vancouver park. With the current urgency, it makes one wonder why it took over 40 people being attacked before looking to remove the coyotes was discussed. You can read more about this spree by clicking here. You can also read more about coyote-related news by clicking here.
