Park coyote attack prompts warnings | CBC News (original) (raw)
The killing of a Toronto hiker by coyotes last fall has prompted Cape Breton Highlands National Park to post warning signs for visitors.
The killing of a Toronto hiker by coyotes last fall has prompted Cape Breton Highlands National Park to post warning signs for visitors.
Park superintendent Helene Robichaud said hikers will soon see messages about how to deal with aggressive wild animals.
"It's really to tell people how to best prepare themselves," Robichaud said, "like hiking during daylight, perhaps not hiking at dawn … and don't hike alone."
Taylor Josephine Stephanie Luciow, a folk singer who went by the stage name Taylor Mitchell, died in a Halifax hospital after she was attacked by coyotes in the park.
The 19-year-old from Toronto had taken a break from her tour of the Maritimes to hike the popular Skyline Trail on Oct. 27. She was walking alone when at least two coyotes attacked her. Other hikers scared off the animals and called 911.
Several coyotes were tracked down and killed by park staff. One, a large male, was growling and displaying aggressive behaviour, one official said at the time.
Park officials and wildlife experts say such coyote attacks are extremely rare. But Robichaud said Cape Breton Highlands is drawing from experiences at other Canadian parks, such as those where there are grizzly bears.
"We have had some messages about coming in and respecting wildlife, not feeding wildlife. And that's all still valid. But what we want to add to that is what to do if encountering an aggressive animal, and remembering that a dangerous situation can be with a moose or coyote or a bear," she said.
Robichaud said the park will also offer information about hiking clubs.