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Wily coyote cruising campus

Drunkards on Richmond Row aren’t the only creatures on the prowl in London.

Custodial staff reported several sightings of a coyote near the Thames River, on the path behind Western’s North Campus Building. Ground management has contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Ministry has suggested the Western community avoid walking along the trails from dusk until dawn to avoid a risky encounter with the coyote.

Elgin Austen, director of campus police, believes the creature is docile and said it is likely more afraid of humans than people should be of it.

However, there are still precautions to be followed.

“The coyote should not be fed. Hopefully it will become hungry and move along to somewhere else,” Austen stressed.

The Ministry’s website advises students, landowners and locals to not approach or feed coyotes, to not attempt to “tame” a coyote and to secure garbage.

Campus grounds seem to have no shortage of other animals such as raccoons and deer; however, coyotes are rare. Coyotes are seldom infected with rabies, therefore do not pose a serious risk, but students should be cautious — they may, in some cases, become aggressive.

If you see the coyote please contact Campus Community Police at 519-661-3300, who will work with the London Police service to co-ordinate the animal’s removal.

—Elysia Knigh

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