In Christie Pits, Alice Kent regularly leaves her back door open for the cleaner on Tuesday evenings. A surprising incident occurred when the cleaner discovered a baby coyote in Kent’s bedroom. Initially mistaking it for a fox, Kent was shocked to find the coyote resting on her bed.
Toronto has witnessed a rise in human-coyote encounters, with nine reported coyote bites since 2020. The recent attacks, including incidents in Whitby where a child and a two-year-old were bitten, have sparked concerns and discussions about managing coyote populations.
Kent’s initial amusement turned to worry as she realized the potential danger the coyote posed, especially considering its skin condition, mange. Concerned for her family’s safety, Kent promptly contacted 911 and the Toronto Wildlife Center for assistance.
Responding to the call, a team from the Toronto Wildlife Center and the police found the coyote pup hiding under the bed. The pup, suffering from sarcoptic mange, was swiftly treated on-site before being released back into the area.
Karvonen, the executive director of the Toronto Wildlife Center, highlighted the importance of not feeding coyotes, as it alters their behavior and diminishes their fear of humans. She emphasized the need to eliminate food sources and take preventive measures to deter unwanted coyote interactions.
Kent, who had previously observed coyote pups on her property, followed advice from the Wildlife Center on deterring them. While acknowledging the need to address public fears, Karvonen stressed that coyotes are usually not a threat if handled properly.
Tracking only sick coyotes in Toronto, the Wildlife Center faces challenges in estimating the city’s coyote population accurately. Karvonen mentioned the necessity of extensive studies to determine the actual number of coyotes in the area.
