Residents living near Vancouver’s largest urban park may have felt uneasy during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a surge in coyote attacks. From December 2020 to August 2021, there were 45 reported incidents of coyotes attacking humans in Stanley Park. This alarming trend prompted authorities to implement a cull of 11 coyotes. While coyote attacks on humans are rare, the spike in incidents during this period was unprecedented, with an attack occurring approximately every six days in a concentrated area.
Research led by Nathan Lewis, a zoology doctoral candidate at the University of British Columbia, investigated the reasons behind the surge in coyote aggression in Stanley Park. Their study, published in the journal Animal Behaviour, attributed the increase in attacks to the COVID-19 lockdowns. With more people visiting the park during the pandemic, the coyotes became habituated to human presence, leading to more aggressive behavior.
Feeding wild coyotes was identified as a contributing factor to the aggressive encounters. Despite a bylaw prohibiting the feeding of wild animals in Vancouver, there was evidence of increased feeding during the study period. Conservation officers arrested individuals for feeding coyotes in Stanley Park shortly after a culling operation in September 2021.
Efforts to improve public safety include avoiding known den sites, especially during coyote pup-rearing seasons, and informing visitors of the elevated risk of encounters during low human activity hours. Proper signage and enforcement of bylaws are crucial for preventing conflicts with wildlife. Wildlife conservation advocates emphasize the importance of education and enforcement to promote coexistence with wildlife and avoid the need for future culls.