This month, coyotes can be seen not just in movie theaters but also roaming around parks in Regina.
Scott Paton takes his dogs for walks in Les Sherman Park daily and had his first encounter with a coyote in mid-August.
“It came within about 10 feet of us. It wasn’t aggressive; it seemed more curious, possibly searching for food,” he shared.
Paton continued his walk, cautioning others in the park. A woman at the playground informed him that a coyote had been present for several weeks.
“I haven’t spotted it since, but I’ve noticed scat in the vicinity,” Paton mentioned.
He expressed that he is not concerned about the animal.
“It will eventually move on. I mean, there are always coyotes in the city. It’s simply a part of their territory now,” Paton added.
However, not everyone in the Cathedral neighborhood feels at ease with the presence of coyotes.
Numerous individuals have reported seeing a coyote in the park. (Submitted by Deanne Pettigrew)
Residents in the area have been posting about sightings in and around Les Sherman Park and Kiwanis Waterfall Park on Facebook since August.
Many posts recount experiences of a coyote approaching and following people and their pets.
“My dog and I were pursued by a coyote in Les Sherman Park. It chased and circled us for quite a while,” one woman recounted.
Other users on Facebook pointed out that the coyote appeared to be at ease around people and did not react to loud noises or attempts to frighten it away.
Regina city Councillor David Froh experienced his own close encounter with a coyote during a morning run in Les Sherman on Saturday.
He mentioned that this was the first he had heard of the animal in his ward and observed that it was comfortable getting close to people and their pets.
“Wildlife sightings are frequent and typically don’t require immediate action. However, when there’s a consistent sighting, it poses a public safety risk, necessitating a response from city staff,” Froh stated.
The City of Regina released a statement indicating that it had received reports of two coyotes in the area and is collaborating with provincial conservation officers to capture and relocate the animal.
Coyotes are reported to frequent these walking paths in the park. (Laura Gillis/CBC)
“The coyote will be removed in a manner that is safe for both the community and the animal. It will be tranquilized, as there are no firearms allowed within the city limits. However, since it is a wild creature, this process may take some time, whether it involves tranquilization or trapping,” Froh explained.
The city councillor acknowledged that while coyote sightings may be concerning, they are not out of the ordinary.
“We are all part of nature in Regina; it’s not something separate from us. These occurrences are quite common, and what matters most is the safety of our pets and the wildlife itself,” he concluded.
The film Coyote vs. Acme, featuring Will Forte, is currently showing in various theaters in Regina. Froh urged the public to report any sightings of real-life coyotes or other wild animals that could pose a safety concern to the City of Regina.