Coyotes becoming less fearful of humans in wake of attack, wildlife expert says
Multiple warnings have been issued about the dangers of coyotes and potential wild dogs following a weekend attack.
OPP confirmed one person was seriously hurt on the Oneida Nation of the Thames.
The attack occurred on Nicholas Road at approximately 3:45 a.m. Saturday.
While the circumstances leading to the attack remain unclear, a local wildlife expert suggests coyotes in the region may be becoming less fearful of humans as populations grow.
“They get familiar with people, and they’re not as skittish. They don’t run away as easily,” said Brian Salt of Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation near Strathroy.
Salt said that is particularly true at this time of year, as young males search out mates and food.
“Pack mentality is different, and a pack of coyotes can do considerable damage in a short period of time,” he explained.
Brian Salt of Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation is seen on April 15, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
To prevent encounters, Salt said the first step is to remove all food sources outside of your home.
Wildlife officials and police have recommended steps to take should you ever come across a coyote, including never turning your back to run. Instead, a person should stand tall and try to scare off the animal while backing away slowly.
“Put your arms up in the air, yell, and throw things,” said Salt. “If you’re going to be walking in the woods, take an umbrella with you. Just opening an umbrella quickly that usually acts as a deterrent.”
Still, he reminds everyone that coyotes are “very curious animals, but they’re not usually aggressive.”
The Oneida Nation of the Thames has put out a social media advisory to residents advising them of safety tips.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
The makers of Ozempic say their weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Ontario man loses $1,500 applying for Nexus cards on social media
The trusted traveller program between Canada and the United States is extremely popular and almost two million Canadians have a Nexus card.
Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads
In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.