In Regina parks this month, coyotes have been making appearances beyond the confines of movie theatres. Scott Paton, a regular at Les Sherman Park, had his first encounter with a coyote in mid-August while walking his dogs. The coyote, although not aggressive, approached within 10 feet out of curiosity or possibly for food, according to Paton. He continued his walk, alerting others in the park, where a playground visitor mentioned seeing the coyote around for weeks. Despite not sighting the coyote again, Paton noted finding scat in the area and expressed minimal concern, stating that coyotes are now part of the urban environment.
However, not all residents in the Cathedral neighborhood share Paton’s comfort with coyotes. Reports have been flooding in since August via Facebook regarding sightings of coyotes in and around Les Sherman Park and Kiwanis Waterfall Park. Numerous posts describe instances where coyotes approached and followed people and their pets. Concerns escalated when a woman reported being chased and circled by a coyote in Les Sherman Park for an extended period. Additionally, other social media users observed that the coyote appeared unfazed by attempts to scare it off with loud noises or gestures.
Regina city Coun. David Froh also had a close encounter with a coyote during a morning run in Les Sherman Park. Noting the animal’s comfort around people and pets, he emphasized the need for city staff to respond promptly to persistent wildlife sightings that pose a public safety risk. The City of Regina confirmed receiving reports of two coyotes in the area and is collaborating with provincial conservation officers to safely remove and relocate the animals.
Froh explained that the removal process involves tranquilizing the coyotes for the safety of the community and the animals. While discharging firearms within the city is prohibited, dealing with wild animals, like coyotes, can be time-consuming to ensure safe removal. Despite acknowledging the concerns surrounding coyote sightings, Froh emphasized that such encounters are not uncommon and underscored the importance of prioritizing the safety of both pets and wildlife in the city.
As the movie “Coyote vs. Acme,” featuring Will Forte, screens in multiple Regina theatres, Froh urged residents to report sightings of real-life coyotes and other potentially hazardous wild animals to the City of Regina for appropriate action.