The Record's readers have been spotting plenty of coyotes in recent weeks as this year's young venture out to find their own territory.
"We've been getting lots of phone calls - mainly from the Queen's Park area. That's pretty typical. That's our biggest park with the heaviest wooded area," said Dave Cole, supervisor for animal control for New Westminster.
"This time of year - late June, July and August - the cubs are coming out of the den, and mom's showing them how to hunt and how to look after themselves. That's why we're seeing an increase in coyotes at this time of year."
Reader Tamara Vankoughnett spotted one near Queens Avenue and Seventh Street around 9: 15 a.m. on Aug. 20, which is unusually early in the morning for the species.
Vankoughnett reported the coyote to the Ministry of Environment's conservation office because of the early time of day and the fact that the coyote appeared to have an injured leg.
While coyotes are generally not aggres-sive towards humans and there are few, if any, local reports of people being bitten, extra caution should be taken when they are around.
Coyotes are more likely to pose a risk if they no longer fear humans, Cole said.
If you see a coyote, "Make noise," he said. "You don't want to charge them or anything. They don't like noise. They are very timid animals towards humans."
Cole said even an empty can with a few pebbles in it can produce a rattle loud enough to frighten the wily creatures off.
Residents should also work to keep their yards free of attractants, including fallen fruit, pet food, birdseed and easily accessible compost, Cole said.
Small pets frequently fall prey to coyotes, so Cole said residents should bring their cats in at night and not let their dogs walk off-leash.
"Just 10 or 15 feet ahead of you is enough for a coyote to come in and get what he wants, and he can run a lot faster than you can," he said.
Anyone who sees a coyote showing aggressive behavior should immediately call the Ministry of Environment call centre at 1-800-663-9453.
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