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Human-wildlife conflict: why relocation doesn’t work

Posted Nov 12th, 2020

An Eastern Coyote

“Why don’t we send them to nature in Algonquin park, where they belong?”

The question is fair, particularly in a community that’s besieged by frightening posts and extreme actions regarding the presence of native and ecological important coyotes. But relocation isn’t a strategy that will work, it could create more conflict, and won’t resolve conflict.

Why? There’s a few reasons:

Conflict with coyotes (and many other native species) arises most frequently when human behaviour affects nature; such as indirect or direct feeding, easily accessible attractants and off-leash dogs. This means that coyotes aren’t the cause of conflict, they’re simply responding to the lessons humans teach them in our daily actions.


Coyote populations reflect environmental factors, resource availability, and pressure from human activity. Communities are sometimes concerned that there are “too many” coyotes, often without knowing how many coyotes are in an area at all. Knowledge about established territories and changes within these landscapes is an important aspect of coyote ecology and human-coyote interfacing. When coyotes are persecuted, family stability is impacted and the open territory attracts new coyotes.

Moving coyotes to a new location is dangerous for them.
  • Catching coyotes often involves body-gripping traps – a dangerous activity that can be extremely damaging and traumatizing. It can also affect non-target species such as dogs, cats and people.
  • Coyotes live in deeply complex social structures; why they choose to live where they live and among which other coyotes is a personal choice made by that coyote that we as humans cannot currently understand.
  • When Eastern coyotes naturally disperse from their home range or family territory, they seek habitat that is not already established by non-related coyotes. We cannot as bystanders know or appreciate these intricate dynamics between one coyote and another.
  • Relocating a coyote into another coyote’s territory is not responsible and can cause interspecies conflict.
  • Moving any wildlife great distances can also transfer disease, interrupt vital natural ecological systems and processes, and be an extraordinarily traumatic experience for the individual animals.
  • Under Ontario regulations, coyotes and foxes can be bought and sold like props to roadside zoos and to people who are licensed to keep them “in a train and trial area” – using wild trapped coyotes, sentient cousins to the family pet dog, to train hunting dogs to chase down and harass coyotes. This is no life for a wild animal and is a possible destination when residents are told a coyote is being “relocated.”

Coyotes have lived in Ontario for over 100 years.

  • Though they may be a new sight to some people east of the prairies, Eastern coyotes have lived in the area for quite some time. Coyotes are exceptional adaptors and, as long as food, water and shelter are available, they can make a home and thrive.

We need to have a thorough understanding of the issues that are escalating human-coyote interactions. We can then help the community with thoughtful information about not only how human behaviour impacts and shapes coyote behaviour, but also how as citizens we can create a wildlife-resilient community. We can offer education and factual information that fosters coexistence. Safety, awareness and education, for citizens and first responders alike, are the most effective, humane and sustainable considerations moving forward.

This article was co-authored by Coyote Watch Canada and The Fur-Bearers.

Coyote Watch Canada