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.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Coyote on the loose in Kirkland
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.”
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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