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Aggressive coyote in Stanley Park nips jogger's pants

Coyote sightings in the park are not unusual, but coyotes pursuing people is not normal behaviour.
Stanley Park trails closed due to aggressive coyote - vancouver park board
The Vancouver Park Board and BC Conservation Officer Service closed trails in the Brockton Oval area of Stanley Park Friday, Jan. 8, following numerous reports of an aggressive coyote.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has received three reports of a coyote(s) approaching runners and cyclists in Stanley Park in the last few days.

In a recent incident, the BCCOS writes in a Facebook post that a coyote nipped a jogger's pants. 

Conservation officers are continuing patrols in Stanley Park and working with area groups on public education efforts around reducing wildlife conflicts.

The Vancouver Park Board Tweeted that park rangers are closing trails in the Brockton Oval area due to the coyotes. 

Coyotes pursuing people is not normal behaviour

Coyote sightings in the park are not unusual, but coyotes pursuing people is not normal behaviour. Wild coyotes are naturally curious animals, however, they are timid and will usually run away if challenged.

Coyotes start posing a risk to people when they lose their wariness and become comfortable around humans - this is usually a result of direct or indirect feeding by humans.

This likely indicates the animal(s) have been fed, explains the BCCOS. And it is illegal to feed dangerous wildlife, such as coyotes.

Park users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with safety tips and please check for trail closures.

If a coyote approaches you, the BCCOS encourages you to make yoursefl as large as possible, face it, wave your arms, yell, and throw sticks, stones or other objects at the coyote.

For other safety tips, please visit here.

Please report encounters to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.