This weekend will mark the first in a series of information sessions that will help Brampton residents and their pets live safely with their coyote neighbours.

The City of Brampton’s “Coyote Talks” give residents a chance to meet with the Wildlife Response Team of Brampton Animal Services and learn more about their relationship with the city’s urban coyotes.

Brampton’s parkland, ravines, woodlots and urban forests are excellent habitats for wildlife like coyotes and foxes. They help control the populations of other animals like rabbits, rats and mice, and while they generally avoid people, coyotes can be a danger to pets, the city says.

And as coyotes transition from the pup-rearing stage to dispersal season, the city says its Coyote Talks teach residents practical ways to coexist safely with urban wildlife.

Dispersal season is when young coyotes leave their parents to find their own territories and potential mates, meaning coyote sightings could increase across Brampton in the coming months.

“Residents will learn about coyote behaviour, what to do if they encounter a coyote and how to reduce attractants in their neighbourhoods,” the city says of the Coyote Talks information sessions.

The City of Brampton’s interactive Coyote Sighting Map​ can help you stay informed about coyotes in the area and help prevent coyote encounters.

Members of the Wildlife Response Team will also be available to answer questions after the session, address concerns and provide resources on living safely with coyotes in our community, the city says.

The first Coyote Talk session will run on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Susan Fennell Sportsplex. Two more sessions will follow on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Public School and on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Riverstone Community Centre.

Most coyote encounters happen when they are looking for food, a mate or protecting their pups. And because of their similarities to domestic dogs, coyotes might treat your pets as either a threat or food.

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Here’s what to do if you encounter a coyote:

Stay calm: It might feel difficult, but if you’re in the community and are approached by a coyote, remain calm.
Do not run away: Running away from a coyote may encourage them to follow you.
Make yourself loud and large: If a coyote continues to approach you, make gestures and use objects to startle the coyote into running away – do not chase or touch the animal.
Call 9-1-1: Seek help if scaring the animal fails to avert danger.

The city’s interactive Coyote Sighting Map​ can also help you stay informed about coyotes in the area and help prevent coyote encounters. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use this tool to stay safe when planning activities in nature and to report coyote sightings.

Brampton Animal Services uses aversion conditioning, also known as humane hazing, to reinforce a fear of being close to people and communities in wildlife.

To view the Coyote Sighting Map​, click here.


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