Dennis L. Murray is the Canada Research Chair in Integrative Wildlife Conservation, Bioinformatics, and Ecological Modeling at Trent University, where he leads the Integrative Wildlife Conservation Lab. For more than 35 years, Professor Murray has studied a variety of species, such as moose, Canada lynx, and other wildlife, and is helping develop our understanding of how wildlife populations respond to various pressures.

Urban coyote sightings are on the rise in urban areas across Ontario, and so too are concerns concerns for public safety. For months, in the Liberty Village-Fort York region of downtown Toronto, a small number of coyotes have shown increased boldness resulting in attacks on domestic dogs and humans.

Dr. Dennis Murray, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Wildlife Conservation at Trent University, has studied coyotes and wolves for decades, giving him a unique perspective on the origins of these problem behaviours, how they may become aggravated in different environments, and how they can best be controlled to ensure public safety. 

The coyote expansion from prairies to cities
According to Professor Murray, coyotes originally occupied prairie regions but began expanding eastward and northward about 300-400 years ago. Habitat changes introduced by regional settlers, the eradication of grey wolves, and coyotes' ability to hybridize with wolves, have paved the way for the species to establish themselves and become the main predator across much of eastern North America. 

"Coyotes are remarkably behaviourally plastic—they are capable of adjusting their behaviour to survive in various environments, including cities like Toronto and outside of urban areas,” says Prof. Murray. “There is no evidence that they are genetically adapting to urban life, although it is notable that eastern coyotes are larger than their western counterparts because of hybridization with wolves. Eastern coyotes seem to be merely adjusting their behaviour to human presence through learned behaviour, often as a result of being fed or finding human foods in these urban settings." 

What can cities like Toronto do?
The recent spate of coyote problems in Liberty Village-Fort York initially went unaddressed in the hope that it would eventually resolve itself without intervention. One option that was discussed early in the issue was to reposition the animals to another area, which Prof. Murray says is impractical and potentially harmful.

"Relocating coyotes can result in territorial conflicts with existing populations or simply shift the problem to another area. Under Ontario law, they can only be moved a maximum of one kilometre, which in dense urban areas offers little advantage," he explains. 

As problems worsened, the municipality undertook increasingly intensive hazing efforts designed to scare coyotes and dissuade them from further attacks.

“There is no evidence in the scientific literature that such methods are effective for highly emboldened animals,” says Prof. Murray. “It is widely understood among wildlife ecologists and animal damage control experts that once a coyote becomes highly emboldened, this behaviour is virtually impossible to reverse.”

Prof. Murray worked alongside local citizens who were directly impacted by coyote attacks to advocate for a different solution. Ultimately, two coyote individuals were euthanized and the remaining animals seem to have dispersed. 

“We need decision makers to trust the science rather than animal advocacy groups, and act promptly in the best interest of public safety,” Prof. Murray adds.