Coyotes kill teenage girl

[bob baldwin jr]

I read in the news that a teenage girl was killed by 2 coyotes in Nova Scotia canada while hiking. 1 coyote was shot ,DNA is being tested . Some authorities are questioning if it was a Coy-Wolf What is your take on that

In local news The state of Indiana has announced that a 43 year old man has died of rabies from being bitten by a BAT ,First confirmed death in over 50 years

[Ike]

http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2009 ... 51416.html

[BEARCLAW]

Thats a pretty sad story. A young girl with so much life ahead of her and so many things going for her. You just never know when fait is going to come calling. Maybe, we could hope she had a higher calling somewhere else.

On another note I hope some of these d*m tree hugging, wolf loveing, SOB's are paying attention to what was lost here! It just may be one of their kids next. Wouldnt that be another tune on there fiddle........

[Emily]

another possible attack on Cape Breton Island?

http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm ... 911&sc=145
Last updated at 11:48 PM on 20/11/09

Parks Canada investigating coyote encounter
GREG MCNEIL
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Parks Canada officials are investigating another human encounter with coyotes in the Cape Breton Highlands.
The incident occurred last week somewhere in the national park, but few details are immediately available.
“We are aware of something that did go on and we are investigating that at this time,” said Derek Quann, a Parks Canada manager of resource conservation.
“We don’t have really much detail to report on it. We are just trying to put the pieces together.”
Quann was not able to offer the date, time or exact location of the encounter, but said officials are taking it seriously.
“As has always been the case when we have been advised of any incident of problem wildlife, potential conflict or danger we investigate it aggressively and take definitive action as needed. That has always been the case.”
The latest incident comes just weeks after coyotes killed Toronto folk singer Taylor Mitchell on the Skyline trail, Oct. 27.
As part of that investigation, Quann said two more coyotes have been destroyed by Parks Canada officials to bring the total to four.
“We are quite confident that two of the animals involved in the attack are among the four that we have obtained. All of the animals have been tested for disease and body condition and they all have come back as healthy animals.”
The new information is being shared with a wide variety of experts who continue to be consulted about the unprecedented attack on Mitchell.
“We have, in Parks Canada, people who are wildlife conflict specialists, especially in the western part of Parks Canada. And we have a biologist that we contact who has quite a bit of strong knowledge and experience with the eastern coyote.”
The range of experts also includes an animal behaviourist at Dalhousie University and officials at the Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Centre in P.E.I. where the destroyed coyotes were sent for testing.
“We’ve already learned some things and have already applied various interpretations to our ongoing operation. Every day is a new day when we regroup, re-evaluate and see if we are still on the best track.”
As for Skyline trail, it is being monitored daily and will remain closed until officials decide it is safe for hiking.
However, other trails in the highlands are open and considered safe.
“Public safety is always a priority to us with respect to visitors. It is important for people to understand that visitors to any national park could encounter wildlife and other natural hazards. It is no surprise.”

gmcneil@cbpost.com

[Emily]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm ... 800&sc=145


Second coyote encounter ‘not a severe aggression’
BY GREG MCNEIL
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Parks Canada is considering the latest encounter between humans and a coyote in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park as neither an attack nor an attempted attack.
The incident occurred the weekend of Nov. 14-15 when a coyote crossed the path of a man and woman while they were walking a dog near Jerome Mountain.
“At first we got the impression there was some aggression displayed, but as we investigated it became more apparent that may not be the case,” said Derek Quann, a Parks Canada manager of resource conservation.
“Nonetheless, the animal did not flee as the two kind of closed in on one another.”
Quann said the coyote was on the opposite side of the guardrail and didn’t retreat as expected. Instead, it appeared bold and unwilling to move off.
“The man had some sort of walking stick with him and he struck the animal. He whacked it.”
Once struck, the coyote quickly fled the scene.
“We’ve gone back down to a monitoring phase on that because it wasn’t a severe aggression, but definitely something that was outside of our comfort range, something that concerns us and something we react to quickly.”
Because the incident occurred about 10 kilometres away from the Skyline trail where coyotes fatally attacked Taylor Mitchell last month, it is considered unrelated. The area will be monitored, but the latest incident is considered closed.
As part of the Mitchell investigation, which remains active, a fifth coyote near the Skyline trail was recently destroyed.
“Usually, we go into the area and apply some adverse conditioning techniques — hazing to scare the animal,” said Quann.
“Basically, it is to teach it that it should keep its distance from people. It should perceive people as something not to approach.”
Depending on the persistence of the animal or the nature of the incident, more extreme methods — such as control or removal — may be applied.
“We really need to have an effect on this coyote group so we could curtail the learning and this behaviour. We think that has taken place now to an adequate extent. Again targeted on this specific group, occupying that specific territory.”
Monitoring is now taking place to confirm the success of these methods and possible dates to safely re-open the Skyline trail.
“We really need to reflect upon the incident that occurred and the most appropriate and respectful way to bring things back to visitation and hiking in that area,” said Quann.

gmcneil@cbpost.com

[cut em loose]

Because it happened 10 kilometers from the other attack they consider it unrelated, and it prolly is, but we have tracked coyotes that have traveled 12 miles in one nite on fresh snow.

[Emily]

Because it happened 10 kilometers from the other attack they consider it unrelated, and it prolly is, but we have tracked coyotes that have traveled 12 miles in one nite on fresh snow.

Thought the same thing myself. 10 km isn't very far for a yote to travel. Glad the man had the presence of mind to chase it off.