Stanley Park fully re-opened after four coyotes killed

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – All trails at Vancouver’s Stanley Park have been re-opened for use, and the park is once again open 24-hours a day.

The green space had been closed between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. since Aug. 31, following a spike in the number of aggressive coyote attacks on people, including children. Most of the attacks happened during evening hours.

Crews have been culling the animals, with a total of four captured and killed. Seven others had been euthanized before the formal cull began.

NEW: Stanley Park is now fully open to the public after overnight closures during a coyote cull. The @ParkBoard says 4 coyotes were trapped, 7 killed by conservation officers previously.

There's still a small # of coyotes in the park, but danger to people has reduced. @NEWS1130

— Bailey Nicholson ???? (@bcjnicholson) September 21, 2021

The BC Conservation Officer Service has repeatedly said the coyotes had become habituated, with people at the park feeding the animals.

The Vancouver Park Board says a “small number” of coyotes are believed to still be in Stanley Park, but says wildlife experts believe “the immediate threat to humans has been addressed.”

Related articles:

• ‘We failed’: Vigil held for Stanley Park coyotes amid cull

• Stanley Park coyote cull is result of human mismanagement: lawyer

• Another coyote attack in Vancouver’s Stanley Park leaves several people, including children, hurt

If you are at the park and see a coyote, you are asked to be careful, especially at dawn or dusk. You should face the animal, make yourself big, stand tall with your arms stretched, and do not run. You should speak loudly and make noises, but don’t scream.

The Park Board warns you not to feed the coyotes, adding you should take food waste home or make sure it’s properly thrown away in “wildlife-proof garbage bins.”

Related video: Four coyotes euthanized in Stanley Park after attacks

It says the provincial Forests Ministry will continue to monitor the situation at the park and will be patrolling to watch the coyotes’ behaviour, as well as that of people.

The ministry says more than 30 cameras were installed at the park in recent weeks to monitor coyote activity.

“The frequency of attacks and the aggression displayed in the incidents over the past year led to a higher estimate of coyote population density within the park. However, our evidence from camera monitoring supports that it was in fact a small group of very aggressive coyotes,” reads a statement from the ministry.

“Based on observations and review of camera footage, Ministry staff believe that only a few animals remain and that the immediate threat to humans has been addressed. Visitors to the park should nevertheless exercise caution if they encounter a coyote.”

Under B.C.’s Wildlife Act, conservation officers can issue tickets to people caught feeding wildlife.

Any feeding of coyotes or aggressive coyote behaviour should be reported immediately and directly to the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.