INGONISH, N.S. – A recent coyote attack on a cyclist near Green Cove in Cape Breton Highlands National Park has led to an aggressive response from Parks Canada, which aims to locate and euthanize the aggressive coyote.
The incident occurred earlier this week when an aggressive coyote bit a cyclist on the arm. The cyclist had dismounted her bicycle and used it as a shield against the attacking animal. The incident took place along a stretch of highway, and a passerby who witnessed the attack intervened by using a hiking stick or some form of pole to fend off the coyote.
Following the attack, the injured cyclist was promptly taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Fortunately, her injuries were minor, and she was subsequently released after receiving medical care.
Erich Muntz, the park’s resource conservation manager, emphasized the importance of taking an aggressive stance when dealing with coyote attacks. He commended both the cyclist and the passerby for their quick and assertive responses, noting that such measures are crucial when confronting aggressive coyotes.
Parks Canada has since initiated patrols in the area where the attack occurred, with some personnel equipped with firearms. The decision to euthanize the coyote was made based on its unacceptable behavior. Muntz assured that the decision was well-considered and follows established protocols.
While coyote attacks in the national park are not uncommon, this recent incident bears similarities to a tragic event in October 2009 when a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Toronto, Taylor Mitchell, lost her life in a coyote attack while hiking alone on the park’s Skyline Trail. Mitchell’s death marked the second fatal coyote attack recorded in North America.
Muntz does not believe that Wednesday’s attack was predatory in nature. He suggested that there might be something about the noise or movement of cyclists that triggers a chase sequence in coyotes and dogs. This behavior could be seen as a primitive response, as if they feel compelled to chase.
Parks Canada issued a statement advising the public to exercise caution and avoid walking or cycling in the area where the attack occurred. Furthermore, people are strongly discouraged from feeding coyotes or trying to entice these animals to come closer to them.
In the event of a coyote approach, Parks Canada recommends not running away. Instead, individuals should maintain eye contact with the animal, try to appear larger by waving their arms and shouting, and if necessary, throw hard objects like rocks to deter the coyote and scare it off.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife safety and responsible behavior when encountering wildlife in natural settings.