The Conservation Officer Service (COS) is investigating after three people were attacked by a single coyote in Stanley Park Wednesday morning.
At approximately 8 a.m. on July 7, one man doing yoga at the Prospect Point picnic area was approached by a coyote and bitten on the arm, stated the COS in a Facebook post. The man chased the coyote and less than 200 metres away, the animal attacked a runner on the nearby road. A woman who intervened to help the runner was also bitten on the arm and leg.
All three adults were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Conservation Officers responded and remain on-site as they work to track down the coyote linked to all three attacks the post reads.
The Prospect Point area and surrounding trails are closed and the service is asking the public to respect these closures for their own safety.
The COS strongly urges anyone in Stanley Park to be aware and prepared that they may encounter an aggressive coyote.
The service is working with park rangers and the municipality to review all options to address and reduce coyote conflicts. Conservation Officers believe there are multiple coyotes involved in incidents at Stanley Park but it is unknown if this coyote is responsible for any other incidents.
The public is encouraged to report any aggressive coyote encounters to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
For more information on what to do if you encounter a coyote or ways to avoid them altogether, check out the provincial government’s webpage devoted to dealing with wolves and coyotes.
