Coyotes in a couple Peachland neighbourhoods are acting in a disturbing way.
鈥淚 received several reports in August of groups of coyotes following people and showing signs of habituation on some hiking paths in the McKinnon and Trepanier Road area in Peachland,鈥� said Andrea Tait, WildSafe B.C. Community co-ordinator.
Then, just two days ago, she had another report of coyotes near Victoria Street and Gladstone Road.
鈥淚t was the same thing,鈥� said Tait. 鈥淪omebody had spotted five coyotes together walking down the road and she was trying to deter them and they acknowledged her, but they weren鈥檛 phased by her making noises to scare them away.鈥�
This is disturbing, said Tait, because it means the coyotes are becoming too accustomed to human territory, which usually leads to the development of more aggressive behaviour.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to say what caused it鈥� but if they are getting into attractants in a community, such as garbage left out, or pets left outside, they sort of learn to become more comfortable around people,鈥� she said.
To try and turn the trend around, Tait said that it鈥檚 important to reinforce fear.
鈥淚f you have small pets and small people, pick them up,鈥� said Tait. 鈥淢ake yourself larger and be as aggressive as possible. 鈥�
The goal, she said, is twofold. First it鈥檚 to protect yourself and second, it鈥檚 to reinforce the idea that people need to be feared. That, in turn will keep the community and wildlife safe.
Tait will be in local neighbourhoods offering more information on being coyote safe in the days ahead.
