Coyote spotted running through streets in downtown Toronto
A coyote was spotted roaming around a downtown Toronto neighbourhood on Monday morning.
The coyote was seen running along Queens Quay near the CN Tower, in the city’s Harbourfront community at around 9 a.m.
In videos captured by CTV News’ Adrian Ghobrial, the coyote is seen meandering nearby pedestrians on the sidewalk and bike lanes before dashing across the street moments before a truck and streetcar drive past.
Toronto Animal Services confirmed to CTV News Toronto they have received sighting reports and noted that residents may spot coyotes more frequently at this time of year.
"Coyote mating season also falls during January and February, which can lead to coyotes being more active and visible," the emailed statement reads. "It's quite normal for residents to see or encounter more coyotes in parks and green spaces across Toronto as they begin their search for a possible mate."
The City adds coyotes are typically shy and don’t pose a danger to people, but they can be unsafe for small pets. Pet owners should pick up their pets and carry them in their arms, or keep them on their leashes.
The City advises anyone who sees a coyote in a park or open area, or sees someone feeding wildlife to call 311.
Feeding coyotes is also prohibited, as feeding them can lead to public safety issues.
“Most interactions with coyotes were the result of a nearby, regular food source, primarily from people leaving food out or garbage behind in parks,” the City said.
“Feeding coyotes may cause them to expect food from people, becoming conditioned to approach closer for a food reward, and creating problems for both wildlife and our neighbourhoods.”
Residents who encounter a coyote are urged against running away. Instead, when a coyote comes too close, the City says to maintain eye contact, and try making yourself big and loud by waving your arms and shouting at it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Budget 2023 prioritizes pocketbook help and clean economy, deficit projected at $40.1B
In the 2023 federal budget, the government is unveiling continued deficit spending targeted at Canadians' pocketbooks, public health care and the clean economy.

Freeland's green economy spending aimed at competing with U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says clean energy and green technology spending may not have been the big-ticket items of the 2023 federal budget if it weren’t for the need to compete with infrastructure spending in the United States.
Federal government capping excise tax on alcohol after outcry
The increase in excise duties on all alcoholic products is being temporarily capped at two per cent starting next month instead of a planned 6.3 per cent increase.
opinion | The gun control debate in America has been silenced
In the wake of another deadly mass shooting in America, that saw children as young as nine years old shot and killed, the gun control debate is going nowhere, writes CTV News political analyst Eric Ham.
Was Stonehenge a giant calendar? New research suggests maybe not
Stonehenge's purpose has long been a mystery, with some researchers proposing that it may have been an ancient solar calendar. But now, new analysis suggests the calendar theory is unsubstantiated.
Kids would rather learn from smart robots than less-smart humans: new study
A new study published by Canadian researchers suggests that kindergarten-age children would rather be taught by a competent robot than an incompetent human.
‘Using waste material makes sense’: Mysterious artist Junko turns trash into giant sculptures
A mysterious, Montreal-based street artist named Junko is generating buzz in Metro Vancouver with futuristic, bug-like sculptures made from old car parts, scrap metal and tossed out shoes.
New research finds subtle brain changes in pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s patients
A new peer-reviewed study from the Medical University of South Carolina report in Brain Connectivity has found individualized brain fingerprints which can help diagnose early Alzheimer's disease.
Hamilton family raising awareness about Strep A after sudden death of toddler
A Hamilton, Ont., family is hoping to raise awareness about Strep A after the tragic death of their two-year-old.