In the period spanning from December 2020 to August 2021, residents near Stanley Park in Vancouver witnessed an unusual surge in coyote attacks on humans. A total of 45 incidents were recorded, prompting the B.C. Ministry of Forests and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to approve the culling of 11 coyotes. Despite the alarming spike, zoology doctoral candidate Nathan Lewis emphasized that such attacks are typically rare occurrences.
Lewis, along with a team from the University of British Columbia, has been studying the reasons behind the increased aggression of coyotes in Stanley Park since 2023. Their recent publication in the scientific journal Animal Behaviour suggests that the lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the uptick of attacks. With limited social activities, more people visited the park, leading to heightened aggression from habituated coyotes.
The researchers observed a rise in instances of people feeding coyotes during the study period, a practice prohibited by a 2024 bylaw in Vancouver. Feeding wild animals can lead to them associating humans with food, potentially resulting in aggressive behavior. Shortly after a culling operation concluded in September 2021, two individuals were arrested for allegedly feeding coyotes in Stanley Park.
Wildlife conservation advocate Lesley Fox suggested making garbage cans in the park wildlife-resistant to prevent attracting coyotes. However, the Vancouver Park Board’s Dana McDonald stated that existing garbage disposal methods were effective in deterring wildlife access. McDonald emphasized the importance of reporting any wildlife feeding incidents to park rangers for prompt action.
The UBC study also revealed that habituated coyotes were more likely to defend their pups aggressively, particularly near den sites. The study recommended keeping visitors away from known den sites to minimize the risk of defensive encounters. Additionally, signage and public education were highlighted as essential tools for promoting coexistence and reducing aggressive interactions with coyotes.
Fox emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of bylaws to prevent future culls, advocating for a balanced approach of education and enforcement to foster peaceful coexistence with wildlife.