Published in the October 2021 Canstar Headliner and Metro
The fall is my favourite season. In our beautiful communities of Charleswood and Headingley, we have many outdoor spaces in which we can enjoy the crisp fall air. From neighbourhood parks, to walking trails, to the gorgeous Assiniboine river flowing through and next to our communities. The constituency of Roblin is a truly unique environment because it really is a little bit city and a little bit country.
It’s no wonder that families choose to settle down in this wonderful region. And it’s not just people who love our community, its wildlife, too! We’ve all seen the many deer that choose our neighbourhood to frolic, there is a variety of birds, and I’ve seen foxes and rabbits, and even beavers!
In recent years, I’ve heard more and more from constituents about coyote sightings. With our location near the perimeter and close to more rural landscapes, our communities can see a variety of different wildlife than we might be used to. But coyotes are not harmless and a sighting of one should be taken seriously.
Coyotes often travel in packs so when we see one, there might be more nearby. They predominantly eat smaller animals like mice and rabbits and have been known to rummage through garbage. Be sure to properly dispose of your garbage to ensure that coyotes don’t see an opportunity for a meal.
The Winnipeg Humane Society has some important tips on how to deal with a coyote. These include: standing your ground, and making yourself as big and loud as you can. Wave your arms around and yell. You might even want to throw a stick or rock in their direction to scare them off, but be sure not to harm them.
It’s important when we walk around our neighbourhoods with our dogs that we keep them on a leash. To some dogs, seeing a coyote might be cause for a game of chase. Coyotes are often quick and some dogs might want to run after them. Keeping our dogs on a leash will keep them safe from coyotes.
Charleswood and Headingley are two charming and nature-filled communities. Together, these communities make up an amazing constituency I am so proud to call my home. We truly are a little bit city and a little bit country. Let’s be sure to co-exist respectfully with the wildlife all around us- like the coyotes!