In addition to movie theatres, coyotes have been sighted in Regina parks this month. Scott Paton, a regular visitor to Les Sherman Park with his dogs, encountered a coyote in mid-August, getting as close as 10 feet to them. Paton described the coyote as more curious than aggressive, possibly in search of food. He continued his walk, alerting others in the park along the way. According to Paton, a woman at the playground mentioned that a coyote had been present in the area for weeks. Although he hasn’t seen it again, he has noticed signs of its presence, such as scat.
Patons expressed his lack of concern about the coyote, stating that these animals are part of the city’s habitat and will naturally move on. However, not all residents in the Cathedral neighborhood share his comfort level with coyotes.
Residents in the area have taken to Facebook to report numerous sightings of a coyote in and around Les Sherman Park and Kiwanis Waterfall Park since August. Multiple posts describe encounters where the coyote approached and followed people and their pets. One woman recounted being chased by a coyote in Les Sherman Park, with the animal circling them for an extended period. Other social media users noted that the coyote appeared comfortable around humans and did not react to attempts to scare it off with loud noises or gestures.
Regina city Coun. David Froh had a close encounter with a coyote while running in Les Sherman Park. This was the first time he had heard about the animal in his ward. Froh observed that the coyote was not wary of approaching people and their pets.
Froh emphasized that while wildlife sightings are common and often do not require immediate action, persistent sightings pose a public safety risk. He stressed the importance of city staff responding to such situations promptly. The City of Regina confirmed receiving reports of two coyotes in the neighborhood and is collaborating with provincial conservation officers to safely remove and relocate the animals.
Froh explained the process of safely removing a coyote, which involves tranquilizing the animal. He assured that no firearms would be discharged within the city limits. While the process may take time to ensure the safety of both the community and the animal, it is crucial for handling wild animals within an urban environment.
Despite the concerns raised by coyote sightings, Froh emphasized that these occurrences are not uncommon in Regina. He highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of pets and wildlife in such situations. Froh urged residents to report sightings of coyotes or other wild animals posing safety risks to the City of Regina.
The film “Coyote vs. Acme,” featuring Will Forte, is currently being screened in various theatres in Regina. Froh encouraged people to report real-life sightings of coyotes and other potentially dangerous wildlife to the city authorities.