Residents in Regina have been encountering coyotes not just at the movie theater this month but also in the city’s parks. Scott Paton, a frequent visitor to Les Sherman Park, came face-to-face with a coyote in mid-August while walking his dogs. The curious animal approached within 10 feet without showing aggression, possibly in search of food. Paton continued his walk, alerting others in the park about the coyote’s presence. According to him, a woman at the playground mentioned having seen the coyote around for several weeks. Although Paton hasn’t spotted the coyote again, he has noticed its feces in the vicinity. Despite this, he remains unperturbed, believing that coyotes naturally coexist within the urban environment.
However, not everyone shares Paton’s level of comfort, particularly in the Cathedral neighborhood. Numerous reports on social media have surfaced regarding sightings of a coyote in Les Sherman Park and Kiwanis Waterfall Park since August. These posts describe encounters where the coyote has approached and followed people and their pets. Some individuals recounted being chased and encircled by the animal, with the coyote displaying a lack of fear towards loud noises or attempts to scare it away.
City Councilor David Froh also had a notable experience with a coyote during his morning run in Les Sherman Park. Froh emphasized the importance of addressing persistent wildlife sightings as a public safety concern. The City of Regina confirmed receiving reports of two coyotes in the area and is collaborating with provincial conservation officers to safely relocate the animals.
Froh reassured the public that the removal process is conducted with community and animal safety in mind, involving tranquilization rather than firearm use. He acknowledged that while coyote sightings may cause anxiety, they are not uncommon in Regina’s natural landscape. Froh stressed the significance of prioritizing the safety of both pets and wildlife.
In the midst of these real-life coyote encounters, the movie “Coyote vs. Acme” featuring Will Forte is currently showing in various theaters across Regina. Froh urged residents to report any sightings of coyotes or other potentially dangerous wildlife to the City of Regina for appropriate action.