By Staff
October 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
What looked like a very sick coyote was seen at Central Park on Sunday between 1 and 5 pm
It was planned as a pleasant picnic at Central park on a nice Sunday afternoon.
It turned out to be an interesting, and an a bit concerning time.
Yards away from where the picnic was taking place a coyote appeared.
It was young and looked to be in very poor shape.
Between 1 and 5 today they reported 10 sightings of what looked like a very sick animal.
The small group didn’t feel threatened but they kept their eye on the coyote and called Animal Control services – it was Sunday and they were closed.
How bizarre do they think Coyotes honour the Sabbath day!
It would appear there is still a coyote problem in Burlington.
Hard to tell, but if people are saying it looks wrong… I would first guess that it has early stages of mange. From the photo, looks like some fur is missing.
Mange is caused by a very small mite and very contagious. So others will have it. Sadly, going into winter, not a good time to lose fur. There are treatments such as Ivermctin or Bravecto. But then you are feeding the coyote. Medicated bait, well intentioned. But still, furthering the problems created by feeding them. So no “story book” endings here….If you know what I mean.
Why is nobody getting some help for this coyote? Or is the plan to just eliminate them all one by one
Interesting how the City has chosen to deal with the coyote situation. No one answers the reporting line after city hall closes and now no one is available on the weekends.
The phone message does indicate that you can go online to report a sighting, but then again how long does it take for someone to look and act on the email.
Guess another attack needs to take place before more is done. Signs may warn people, however, as we all know, coyotes can’t read signs.
What the Gazette did not know was the telephone number to call was on a sign that is at least 8 feet off the ground and unreadable by most. That is why visitors to Central did not know feeding the wildlife (squirrels and chipmunks) was a no, no. A camera with a zoom lens was used to get the number. While some people were very concerned most understood the coyote needed attention for its own sake, but nobdy was taking any chances. It is believed to be the young of an eliminated den earlier in the year that appears confused, and unstable.
Until the fearless predatory carnivore is hunted and eradicated from an urban environment, there will continue to be attacks.