SASKATOON - In 2023, it seemed Saskatoon news and social media stories often contained sightings and stories of the Costco coyote. In 2024, Saskatoon’s Silverwood Heights neighbourhood continues to share reports on their community Facebook page of appearances of one or more coyotes in residential areas and walking/cycling paths.
Not knowing if the sightings include a single coyote or more than one, fearful details have been shared about snarling and growling coyotes in the area, showing up in various places in the city’s neighbourhood.
Through a Google search, although several companies are registered in Saskatoon with the name ACME, some residents have joked that these coyotes don’t appear to be tracking a roadrunner, in reference to the popular cartoon of the past.
Signs have been erected in several places warning people of coyote activity but understandably, and jokingly, coyotes aren’t reading or adhering to them. Can people, pups, maybe even roadrunners, and coyotes co-exist?
Randy Donauer, City Councillor Ward 5, tells SaskToday.ca, “We have been working on this issue for some time. I have raised the concern multiple times at City Hall and have worked my way up the chain of command. They have a policy of 'co-existence' with wildlife in the city.” The city councillor has also posted in the Silverwood Heights community Facebook page his responses to resident's concerns.
Should this policy change concerning dangerous predators, especially when the animals are exhibiting aggressive behaviour?
Donauer said that a review should also take place on rabbits in the city, as they are providing a food source for predators.
The Ward 5 councillor says they have checked with conservation with the provincial government and while they have provincial laws to assist with wild animals, controls involving culling they won’t act within the city.
On a Silverwood Heights community Facebook page, an abundance of posts has been made as far back as 2023 regarding sightings or encounters of said coyotes.
One member posted photos and her encounter experienced Sept. 13, “Stressful walk with dog this morning when a coyote tried to get him. I must have moved and startled the coyote just in time. He leaped on the trail less than a foot from me. Thankfully, another walker came and helped me shoo him far enough away that we were able to walk safely. But he was aggressive and continued to follow and hiss at us. The part that scared me was that I did not see him come up to us at all. He was so stealthy. I do watch because of heightened activity."
“I raised the issue in my City Hall update earlier this summer, and discussed it with residents at 'Coffee with Your Councillor' public engagement sessions over the summer. I have several residents who are afraid to walk on our own neighbourhood paths, who are avoiding their daily walks, or who feel they need bear spray to stay safe within our own parks. This is not right,” adds Donauer.
In the meantime, Donauer says residents have this option. Please follow this link to report every incident to Animal Control… https://saskatoonanimalcontrol.ca/contact/.
“It is important the we build up a case of frequency and severity of complaints. Please provide details of when/where an incident happened, and the behaviour of the coyote. If you are experiencing or witnessing or experiencing an attack, please call 911.”
Donauer also asks neighbourhood residents to send him the information so he can stay in the loop, as well as forwarding the data to City Hall.
“I would also encourage residents to write to the Mayor and City Council formally, so your complaints show up at a Council meeting. This would support my actions to change the bylaws/policies."
Feeding wildlife is certainly a concern as when this happens coyotes can cause issues because the animals begin to associate food with humans. There are also deer along some of these neighbourhood pathways.
Making light of a serious situation, none of the locations the animals have been reported in feature large overhanging cliffs, false images depicting a tunnel, or steep curves that a coyote can wait for his target in, as depicted in the coyote vs roadrunner cartoon scenes.
The Sask. Ministry of Environment suggests in their posts that keeping your distance, make noise and stay calm can usually alleviate an encounter. Also, be mindful of leaving out pet food and garbage as the one way to discourage their city cruising is to limit their easily accessible food sources.
Stay tuned folks, the urban coyote tales continue.
