There’s growing concern in a southwest Edmonton neighbourhood, where residents say they’ve seen an increase in the number of coyotes living in the area, and said they don’t appear to have a fear of humans.
At a meeting Tuesday night with City officials, including Councillor Michael Walters, residents of the Greenfield area voiced their concerns over coyotes in the area.
“A lot of concerns about dogs, and coyotes intimidating them,” Adrian Rys said, he’s a resident in the area who was at the meeting and spoke to CTV News Wednesday.
A number of residents in Greenfield have seen the animals, which appear to be getting bolder although no attacks have been reported.
Dr. Colleen St. Clair, a Biological Sciences professor at the University of Alberta said an increase in aggression could be the result of a number of factors.
St. Clair said people need to start showing aggression of their own to combat it, such as carrying golf balls to throw at them.
“The reason they’ve become less [wary] over the last 100 years in Edmonton is because there are fewer and fewer and fewer people who do treat them aggressively,” St. Clair said.
St. Clair also said homeowners should secure their fences, and remove things coyotes are often attracted by – such as compost.
In the past, the City has tried to remove coyotes from certain areas, but they have always returned.
Officials are weighing options for Greenfield. In the meantime, officials are asking residents to report any sightings by calling 311.
With files from Dan Grummett
