A bold coyote that was seen dangerously close to a child playing in a Banff backyard last week ended up electrocuting itself on a power cord later that same day.
The drama began to unfold around noon on Aug. 26 when the mother of the child reported seeing a coyote in the grass behind her home in a Whiskey Creek condo complex.
Within hours, what is believed to be the same animal was found dead with an electrical plug clutched in its jaw about a block away on nearby Cougar Street.
“The cord was connected to the power source and (the coyote) ended up dead,” said Michelle Macullo, a Parks Canada spokesperson. “This was unusual behaviour. We’ve never received a call like this. It’s shocking to get a call like that.”
Around noon, a groundskeeper at the condo complex at Whiskey Creek was dragging a sprinkler and hose in the parking lot when a coyote came up and reportedly started making a hissing noise.
“It was making a strange sound like hissing, and then the coyote bit the hose the caretaker was dragging,” said Macullo. “It was at pretty close proximity, so this fellow kicked the coyote and the coyote ran off.”
Not long after, the coyote was seen hunkered down in grass near a backyard at Whiskey Creek, where a young child was playing.
“The mom vocalized and the coyote was gone,” said Macullo, noting the woman called Parks Canada dispatch to report the incident.
Resource conservation officers went to investigate, but found no sign of the animal. They quickly put up a warning to let people know there was a bold coyote in the area.
Then at about 4 p.m., a dead coyote was found about a block away on Cougar Street with an electrical cord connected to a power source clutched in its jaw. The coyote was a female yearling.
Resource conservation officers then took the coyote carcass to show the groundskeeper and, based on the markings, it was determined it was the same animal he had encountered four hours earlier.
The warning was left up for two more days, but there were no further reports of coyotes in the area.
Macullo said it’s critical residents and visitors immediately report all animal sightings within the townsite.
“We found out later that there had been a coyote in the area for several days before and we were unaware of that. The sooner we know about something like this, the more quickly we can respond,” she said.
“Were pleased no one was hurt. Public safety is something we take very seriously.
Wildlife sightings should be reported to Banff dispatch at 403-762-1470.
