Video: Coyotes spotted in Mississauga and Brampton parks, city offers tips to avoid conflict

Coyotes have been spotted in Mississauga and Brampton parks recently and the city is offering some tips to avoid dangerous encounters.

Coyotes are a natural part of the ecosystem, helping control rodent, rabbit and geese populations, according to the City of Mississauga.

“We benefit tremendously from their activities, however, human-coyote conflicts may arise when we intentionally feed them or inadvertently create opportunities for free food around our City,” the City of Brampton notes.

People should keep their distance and never feed coyotes.

It appears coyotes have been seen in parks in recent weeks.

In Brampton, one video posted on Twitter shows two coyotes near a child in Chinguacousy Park, 9050 Bramalea Rd, on Christmas day. The child yells in the video as the two coyotes appear to walk away.

The poster suggests a cull as the community of Nahant, Massachusetts is considering.

Maybe it’s time for Brampton, Ontario, Canada to go the Nahant, Massachusetts, USA way.

On ‘stmas day this year, a lone kid was stalked by two coyotes in a valley in Chinguacousy Park in the middle of Brampton, while elders were stuck on top of icy hill.https://t.co/NpilWJUyQI pic.twitter.com/zdrXICGtiW

— Hindusheadingtomuseums? (@CanHindusurvive) January 1, 2023

Coyotes have been sighted at a few Mississauga parks, the City of Mississauga said in a tweet posted on Jan. 4.

“While seeing coyotes is not uncommon, it’s important to know what to do if you’re approached,” the city wrote.

A video linked to the tweet offers some helpful tips:

• Stay calm and wait until the coyote goes away
• Do not turn your back or run. Like dogs, coyotes chase anything that runs.
• If a coyote approaches, stand tall, wave your arms, clap, yell, make startling movements or throw an object at it to scare it away
• Startle the animal by opening an umbrella, using a flashlight or activating an audible alarm

To learn more about coyotes, Mississauga has an interactive coyote map, and the City of Brampton recently launched a coyote tracker.

If you see an aggressive, sick or injured coyote, call 905-896-5858. Or call 311 if you require assistance with a sick or injured animal, or a coyote that is posing a risk to the public.

Coyotes have been sighted at a few #Mississauga parks🐺

While seeing coyotes is not uncommon, it’s important to know what to do if you're approached.

Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/HMAVMCMAFl pic.twitter.com/zQNNOJUheO

— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) January 4, 2023