Stanley Park Coyotes Cull Necessary Because They Were “Dangerous Wildlife”

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In late August, following a series of coyote attacks in Stanley Park, provincial authorities began to take a more assertive role in trying to manage the problem due to the “growing risk to public safety. “.

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“This is an extraordinary circumstance and we never want things to escalate in this state ever again,” writes Kristina Lensky, provincial government resource manager, in an email to Donnie Rosa, Vancouver park general manager. Advice.

A draft briefing note for David Muter, Provincial Assistant Deputy Minister, is attached to the email, recommending “immediate and lethal coyote removal to reduce local density and risk of attacks.”

The coyote attacks, Lensky said, were an “extraordinary circumstance with dangerous wildlife.”

Within weeks, the coyote cull in Stanley Park was underway.

Internal records, obtained by Postmedia as part of an access to information request, provide a more complete picture of the rationale for implementing the two-week cull that began on September 7.

Between December 2020 and early September, 45 coyote attacks against adults and children were reported in Stanley Park.

During the coyote cull, Stanley Park was closed for two weeks. By the time the Conservation Officer Service finished, four coyotes had been captured and killed. Seven coyotes had been killed earlier by the COS.

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On the day the slaughter ended, the COS arrested two people in Stanley Park and seized a vehicle as part of the coyote feed.

The COS said it would not comment further due to an ongoing investigation into the arrests and reports of interference with the leg traps used in the coyote slaughter.

Lensky says in his briefing note that while coexistence with wildlife is an important tenet of wildlife management, “the aggressive behavior of coyotes in Stanley Park is exceptional and the underlying factors are not fully understood. “.

She says the attacks were likely the result of several factors, including, but not limited to, “repeated intentional feeding, high population density, disease, toxins, or injury.”

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“Coyotes are believed to be highly food conditioned and accustomed to humans. “

Analysis of six euthanized coyotes revealed no acute illness, but the presence of underlying conditions such as parasites.

“The capture and release of live animals or keeping them in captivity has been considered, but this is not considered feasible or humane (eg very high mortality for displaced individuals, lack of suitable enclosures). “

The briefing note refers to two options for dealing with coyote attacks.

The entire content of the options has been drafted under Article 13 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, which allows the head of a public body to withhold information that would reveal advice or recommendations to a public body or a minister.

Lensky is listed as the South Coast Resource Manager at the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development. She could not be reached for comment.

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Muter, the assistant deputy minister, was not available for comment, the ministry said on Wednesday.

The briefing note says the COS attempted to catch and kill attack coyotes prior to slaughter.

“However, it is very difficult to confirm that the abducted animals were indeed the ones involved in the attacks.”

Lensky says in the briefing note that efforts by the park’s board to control the attacks have included the closure of high-risk trails.

“These ‘closures’ are currently not legally enforceable,” he said without providing details of why.

In a separate emailed statement, the ministry said during the coyote trapping program, more than 30 cameras were set up in the park to monitor coyote activity.

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“It soon became apparent that the actual number of coyotes in the park was much lower than the initial estimate,” the ministry said.

“The decision to lethal coyotes wiped out was not the province’s first choice, but was based on concerns for public safety, and only came after considerable effort with the Vancouver Park Board to find d ‘other alternatives to prevent incidents.

The ministry said since September 21 there had been three reports to the COS of coyotes chasing cyclists in Stanley Park. COS has not had any reports of people being attacked by coyotes since the slaughter was completed.

Reports of attacks by coyotes or by people feeding coyotes can be made on the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

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