Full Resource - City of Edmonton

Student Resource
Green Spaces in the City
Coyotes thriving
in Edmonton parks
By Catherine Griwkowsky
EDMONTON SUN
February 25, 2012
Coyote sightings are on the rise in Edmonton
and warmer weather coupled with urban sprawl
[the growth of city areas] are to blame. Dog lovers,
who take their pooches to an off leash park, may
have noticed signs in parks throughout the city
asking owners to put their pet on a leash.
With a lack of snow, coyotes have plenty to feast
on and their babies fair better. “There’s more
opportunities for coyotes to eat their prey –
bunnies, rabbits,” said Edmonton Park Ranger
Ramsey Cox. He said the signs are rotated in city
parks based on where the complaints come in....
Maureen Murray, PhD student at the University
of Alberta, said the rise in urban coyote sightings
is due to a variety of factors. Murray said more
coyotes could be spotted because the population
may be growing. Coyotes could also be becoming
more habituated [or used to living] in the city.
Murray also said more people in cities could mean
more food for coyotes in the form of garbage, pets,
bird seed and even compost.
[Wild or feral cats] make up approximately 10%
of an Edmonton coyote’s diet, the bulk being
rodents at 40 percent and rabbits in 30 percent
of sample. Garbage makes up about 10 percent
of their food intake, based on approximately 375
samples.
Due to urban sprawl, coyotes have an easier time
getting around in residential neighbourhoods,
Murray explained... She said it’s rare for a coyote
not to be wary of people.
Excerpted with permission from QMI Agency.
The City of Edmonton’s Park Rangers
make sure that the river valley is safe and
enjoyable. They work to maintain a healthy
co-existence between the valley’s plants and
wildlife and the people who visit it.
The urban park rangers are knowledgeable
in the areas of resource management,
wildlife, forestry, outdoor recreation and law
enforcement.
Make A Better City 121