In Regina parks this month, coyotes have been sighted, not just in movie theaters. Scott Paton, who frequents Les Sherman Park with his dogs, came across a coyote in mid-August. The encounter was non-aggressive, with the coyote showing more curiosity than hostility, possibly in search of food.
After Paton’s sighting, he alerted other park-goers, learning from a playground visitor that a coyote had been present in the area for weeks. Although he hasn’t seen the coyote since, Paton has noticed signs of its presence through scat in the vicinity. Despite this, he remains unfazed, stating that coyotes are a common part of the urban habitat and will naturally move on.
However, not everyone shares Paton’s calm demeanor regarding coyotes in the Cathedral neighborhood. Reports from residents around Les Sherman Park and Kiwanis Waterfall Park on Facebook since August describe numerous encounters with a coyote. Accounts include instances of the coyote approaching and following people and their pets, with one person recounting being chased and circled by the animal.
Regina city Coun. David Froh had his own encounter with a coyote during a morning run in Les Sherman Park. This prompted him to emphasize the importance of addressing persistent wildlife sightings, which can pose public safety risks. The City of Regina has been informed of two coyotes in the area and is collaborating with provincial conservation officers to safely relocate the animals.
Froh stressed the need for caution in handling such situations, explaining that the removal process involves tranquilizing the coyote without the use of firearms. While acknowledging the concerns that coyote sightings may raise, he emphasized that such encounters are not uncommon in Regina and underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of pets and wildlife.
In parallel to these real-life encounters, the movie “Coyote vs. Acme,” featuring Will Forte, is currently showing in various theaters across Regina. Froh urged residents to report sightings of wild animals that may pose safety risks to the City of Regina.
