COYOTES ARE GOOD FOR OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Well according to the article in last week's Woolwich Observer titled "Breeding season, snow cover fuel increase in number of coyote sightings"; "coyotes have a tremendously positive impact on an area's biodiversity and ecological integrity". Who knew. That quote by the way is from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). I had always understood that a significant part of a coyote's diet was rodents as in mice, rats, shrews and voles.

While currently there is increased daytime activity of coyotes it has to do with their mating and breeding habits at this time of the year. Further reason for increased concerned calls to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is the amount of snow cover making it more difficult for their brown fur to blend in with the background. Coyotes have been in southern Ontario for about a century now and have generally been out of sight out of mind. Apparently as a species they are incredibly adaptable including if necessary living within city limits. Normal precautions with small pets as well as very small children are always a wise idea including not leaving your pets' food bowls outside where they could attract coyotes or other wildlife.