The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124664 Message #2754580
Posted By: meself
28-Oct-09 - 11:18 PM
Thread Name: Obit: singer Taylor Mitchell, Oct 28, 2009
Subject: RE: Obit: Taylor Mitchell, Oct 28, 2009
Regarding behviour of the eastern coyotes, here's a cut-and-paste from here :
Biologists said it's unlikely the coyotes involved had contracted rabies or were protecting young animals.
Bob Bancroft, a Nova Scotia wildlife biologist, said coyotes shy away from humans. But not all animals - particularly young, inexperienced coyotes in parks - view humans as predators.
"This is probably just a couple of coyotes that saw something vulnerable and went for it," he said. "It's horrible. It's not something you would expect at all."
Coyotes in the region are larger and behave somewhat differently than their counterparts in Western Canada, he said. Large males in Nova Scotia can weigh up to 60 pounds.
Simon Gadbois, a professor at Dalhousie University who studies animal behaviour, said hikers should always be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Should a hiker unintentionally surprise a coyote or other animal, Gadbois has simple, potentially life-saving advice: Never act like prey."The worst thing you can do is start running away," he said. "Wave your arms, shout, just show that you mean business basically and most animals will think twice."