Coyotes continue to chase, ‘nip at’ people in Stanley Park

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Coyotes continue to chase joggers and nip at cyclists in Stanley Park, prompting a public education campaign by the park board.

Two more people were chased Thursday night near Prospect Point, one requiring medical attention for a bite, bringing the total number of reports up to 13.

Coyotes continue to chase joggers and nip at cyclists in Stanley Park, prompting a public education campaign by the park board https://t.co/7crvyF3YWJ pic.twitter.com/Kf5uQJfU0C

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) January 23, 2021

For the second time in as many weeks, trails have had to be shut down.

“Unfortunately, people are removing the barriers or walking around them and continuing on the trails,” reads a release from the Vancouver Park Board.

.@ParkBoard launches education campaign as aggressive coyotes are chasing/biting ppl around Brockton Oval/Hollow Tree. Two ppl were chased Thurs. night. One was bitten. Roughly a dozen ppl have been chased recently. Report coyote sightings to 311. BG: https://t.co/45q0raZqTW

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) January 22, 2021

Conservation officers are still trying to locate the coyote “involved in the latest incidents.” Meanwhile, park rangers will be stationed at a booth near Lumberman’s Arch handing out ‘Co-existing with Coyotes’ pamphlets for the next two weeks, and signs will be posted throughout the park.

The Vancouver Park Board says about a dozen coyotes call the park home, and they are “naturally scared of people.”

One key tip for anyone confronted by a coyote is to resist any impulse to run.

“Coyotes instinctively chase anything that runs away. Stand tall, keep arms overhead, and yell ‘go away.’ Scaring coyotes helps modify their behaviour and restore a healthy boundary between them and people,” the board writes.

Feeding wildlife can cause them to become both aggressive and overly familiar with humans, according to the board.