Lake Aquitaine and coyotes on the news?

[ravynne40]

Hubby told me he heard there were two dens of coyotes up at lake Aquitaine, said he heard it on last night's news
anyone else aware of this?
i'm not sure how many holds a den, but two?? yikes...sounds the they are going to breed like bunnies (one female can have up to six pups right?)

Irene

[Murray]

Go Coyotes Go!! I don't understand peoples fear of coyotes.
People see them & then they are suddenly in fear. Can anybody tell me how many human attacks in Toronto?
I think the answer is none. May a small dog get snatched, it did happen in Pickering. But I am sure you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning & winning 6/49 on the same day!

What if a Bald Eagle with their population explosion starts picking off dogs & cats? Are we going to start recommending the extermination of Eagles?
I think everybody needs to step back & take a deep breath & relax.

Murray

[beresford]

Couldn't agree with you more Murray...

When I lived out west, in Burnaby, at the base of SFU, I used to hike up the mountain several times a week and they'd trail along behind me in packs of of up to fifteen and not once did I feel threatened. Even when I walked in the forest at night they stayed well away.

Are we that much in need of a villain?

[ravynne40]

ok, firstly..i have never lived out west near mountains, and i have seen coyotes in High Park, and i have never heard a coyote attack a person in Toronto..YET....my mail was short and fast and all i wanted to convey was that, a) it was on the news, and b) anyone walking or birdwatching in that area should be aware that they are out there

then i just wanted to know how fast they breed, and yes it is natural for "city folk" to fear coyotes as we have never or have rarely been exposed to them and do not understand the nature of their behavior.

beat me up if you will and poke fun all you want, but there could be a growing concern if their numbers grow large, yes? no? maybe?

enjoy the day
Irene

[egret]

Hi Rayanne:

I will be careful when out in the city
for sure
as you just never know
with any wild animal
even a domestic dog

I see foxes near my area
sometimes
and dont get too close
course they run off


I feel sorry for the coyotes
and all the wildlife

what is going on?



Egret

[Turtlebird]

It's funny how nature lovers long for a world where nature is left unmolested, and thrives alongside humanity...but only when it is cute and harmless, or kept in a properly defined area.  When something that doesn't fit our idealic idea of how nature should be comes to close to home,  there's panic.  I think everyone should see the success of coyotes in urban areas as a positive thing, a sign that nature can perserveres no matter what humanity throws at it.  If people would just use a little common sense with their pets, themselves, their garbage, etc., this wouldn't be a problem.  If you see a coyotoe...grab your camera, and be very happy about it!

[Murray]

OK i'm sorry, lets take back my previous post & just shoot the coyotes & foxes & raccoons & skunks.
 They are nothing but varmints. They have no place in our city. Maybe we should shoot the wolves up in Algonquin too.
 They may overbreed & go into Huntsville & steal small children out of the schoolyards.
 Sorry Irene for being so sarcastic but i find it hard to believe on a nature board that you are perpetuating myths
 from fairy tales. The big bad wolf is not going to get you!!
 
 your quotes '
 'yikes...sounds the they are going to breed like bunnies'
 'yes it is natural for "city folk" to fear coyotes'
 ' growing concern if their numbers grow large'

 These sound like the fear based media.

 I think Turtlebird's & Beresford posts are the most accurate assessements of the situation!! (of course they agree with me)
 
 P.S. Watch out for the Cougars in the Rouge Valley!! They're really dangerous!!!

[Anonymous]

Really everyone...chill pill.

It's not as if these conversations are new - we've all versed our varied opinions on this matter throughout this board.

[Turtlebird]

One thing I keep hearing, and do not understand at all, is people saying they "feel sorry" for the coyotes for being "forced" into living near people, and that they should be trapped and moved back to "the wild".  What they don't understand is that the coyotes are choosing to live near us, because it's easy living and they are learing to exploit our behaviours.  Snatching a loose dog or cat is easier and more rewarding than spending all day looking for rodents.  More and more, people want "green spaces" in their cities -  well, this is what comes with them, I say if you want the birds and the butterflies then you have to be prepared for the snakes, spiders, coyotes, and all the other links in the chain.
Not so much making this comment based on things I've read here, more from what I've  heard from people at work, or in the news, etc.

[Axeman]

It was a slow news day. There have been coyotes in the Lake Acquitane area for hundreds of years. They didn't leave in 1974 when the city of Mississauga was incorporated -- apparently they didn't get the memo. The fact that you have not known they are present should make you wonder about the fear mongering. If you have ever resented the junk mail passed on by do-gooders, spreading urban legends, stand up and shoot a fear mongerer. Together, one fear mongering urban legend spreader at at time, we'll stop the insanity. Trust me.