Kirkland officials announced Tuesday they captured a wild coyote that had been approaching residents and small animals.
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The wild animal was captured by animal control specialists hired by the Town of Kirkland, assisted by representatives of the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, on Saturday, Aug. 6.
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The animal was easily caught with a lure and capture stick, without the need for a trapping cage.
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“The fact that a coyote comes willingly towards a human handing out food indicates that the animal is used to being fed and has developed a strong dependency upon people for food,” said Mayor Michel Gibson.
“I wish to remind everyone that it is essential to never feed a wild animal so as not to create a dependency that might jeopardize its survival.”
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The captured coyote, who is apparently in good health, is estimated to be 7 or 8 months old.
It was transported to a clinic where it will be tested and tagged before either being released into the wild or brought to the Ecomuseum in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, if its dependency on people for food is considered to be detrimental to its survival in the wild.
READ MORE: Kirkland coyote: residents want town officials to focus on safety
There is an estimated 1,000 coyotes on the island of Montreal.
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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