As a result of the reported sightings of coyotes and the unfortunate loss of pets in our community, the City of Mississauga will be posting warning signs at the pond.
Foxes and coyotes are a necessary and important part of our City's ecosystem. In the last few years a mange pandemic has drastically reduced coyote and fox populations throughout Ontario and as a result rodent and rabbit populations have increased dramatically.Recently, however, sightings of both foxes and coyotes have increased in Mississauga which indicates that they are making their natural comeback. As winter approaches natural prey such as mice and rabbits become scarce which means both coyotes and foxes must increase their hunting activity. Although, coyotes or foxes do not normally pose a risk to humans, coyotes will attack or prey upon unattended, unleashed or outdoor pets.
CAN COYOTES OR FOXES BE TRAPPED AND RELOCATED?
Coyotes are extremely intelligent and almost impossible to live trap. Subsequently, licensed trappers employ the use of leg hold traps and snares to catch coyotes. This is not always a suitable option for heavily populated urban centres due to the danger these traps may pose to pets and humans. Current legislation prohibits the re-location of wildlife from home territories, subsequently; trapped animals must be released in the same area or destroyed. For over a century coyotes have been persecuted and actively hunted and still they manage to increase in numbers and territory due to their ability to adapt to a changing environment. Experts agree removal of one animal from an established territory will only create a vacuum for another animal to fill and depending on food availability that newly established animal may have larger litters
