Coyote problem worsens in Kelowna

It’s the time of year when coyote sightings take an upward spike in the Okanagan.

Late winter is when adult coyotes start scouting for mates.

It is also the time when last year’s pups start staking out their territories.

That means coyotes are on the move, which also means people’s pets are fair game for the canines.

Several coyotes have been spotted in Kelowna recently.

The city’s urban habitat is ideal for coyotes: the orchards and vineyards make good hunting grounds for the animals to find mice.

While the threat to humans is low, the threat to small pets such as dogs and cats is very high.

But there is not much conservation officers can do about the coyotes.

Officers are not allowed to shoot coyotes within city limits and setting traps puts the public and their pets at risk.

Conservation officer Terry Myroniuk advises people to keep their pets on a leash and to keep them indoors at night when coyotes are typically more active.

Myroniuk says Kelowna’s coyote problem has worsened because some people are purposely feeding them while others inadvertently feed them by leaving dog food out in the open.