Stanley Park fully reopens following coyote cull

Stanley Park was fully opened to the public Tuesday after a coyote cull was undertaken to stop a rash of attacks on humans — something the Vancouver park board called a “highly disturbing and unprecedented situation.”

The park board lifted overnight restrictions Tuesday and reopened all trails at the Downtown Vancouver park. The temporary measures were put in place late last month due to a growing number of coyote attacks, including two instances where young children were targeted. More than 45 coyote attacks have occurred at the park since December.

Earlier this month, the B.C. Ministry of Forests launched a two-week cull to trap and kill “human food-conditioned” coyotes in the park. Four coyotes were captured and killed. Seven others were euthanized by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service in response to previous attacks.

Wildlife experts believe the immediate threat has been addressed, said the park board, but added that because coyotes at the park are here to stay, it will now focus on an awareness campaign to educate the public on how to “keep wildlife wild” by changing behaviours that contribute to coyote habituation and aggression. It urged visitors not to feed wildlife and to take food waste home or properly dispose of it at one of the newly installed wildlife-proof garbage bins set up at the park.

Visitors are also reminded to exercise caution at the park, especially at dawn or dusk.

The park board said ministry staff will continue to monitor the situation. Park rangers will step up patrols in order to keep an eye on both human and animal behaviour. The park board is reviewing current bylaws to update municipal park restrictions regarding feeding wildlife at the park and plan to seek enforcement capabilities.