HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-03-06, Page 4Davld Bannister
Coyotes in Southcott Pines.
Think you saw a coyote — you probably did
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
oi'..akeshore Advance
Think you saw a coyote in your
backyard? You probably did. Coyo-
tes are everywhere. They travel along
rail and river corridors, frolic in for-
ests. The Lakeshore Advance got a
call last week with sightings in this
readership area.
Adaptable animals, they actually
thrive in cities. Think rats. 'they love
rats,
As long as you don't feed the
neighbourhood coyote, it will stick
to rodents.
Coyote population patterns go in
cycles and had been on the rise from
about 2000 to 2010, when they lev-
elled off. The population has become
so large in Essex County that Tour-
ism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
added coyote hunting to its list of
hunting tourist attractions on its
Website.
Don't feed them
While they'll go after your
unleashed ship tzu, the elusive ani-
mals are nothing to worry about as
long as no one is feeding them.
That means keep your outside gar-
bage and compost sealed up.
Every case of bold behaviour -- a
coyote that follows a human for
Mod, chases joggers, stalks a small
dog or child -- can be linked hack to
that coyote being fed by humans,
coyote experts say.
It's so serious, several cities —
Including Oakville and Niagara Falls
-.-- have implemented strict anti -
feeding laws with high fines.
"Coyotes are predators and we
don't want anybody putting their
pets at risk."
Visit the Ministry of Natural
Resources' (MNR) for tips on
what to do when faced with an
aggressive coyote:
• never approach or touch a coyote;
• don't turn your back on or run from
a coyote;
• back away from a coyote while
remaining calm;
• stand tall, wave your hands and
make lots of noise;
• at night, carry a flashlight; and
• if a coyote poses an immediate
threat or danger to your health or
safety, call 911.
Coyotes are very territorial and there
have been reports of them in the
Point Lands as well, Smith said.
The ministry recommends destroying
coyotes if they threaten property,
such as livestock on farms, otherwise
they should be left alone.
THE COYOTE
• Type of canine, smaller than a wolf,
with brownish -grey fur.
• Babies are called pups.
• Mates for life.
• May be more visible during
February mating.
• Travels alone or with mate. If you
see a pack, it's likely parents and
pups.
• Unlike other canines, coyote are
skittish and fear humans.
• Most active at dawn and dusk.
With files from
Jennifer O'brien, QMI Agency
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 3
Protestors out to support Drennan
ACW family
still seeking to
stop K2 project
Paul Cluff
QMI Agency
GOI)LRI(:11 - Shawn and Trish
Drennan got some vocal support
before heading into the Huron
County Courthouse for another
round of a legal battle against a
proposed wind farm in their
home community.
About 75 protestors gathered
outside the I luron County Court-
house early Friday to voice their
opposition to wind turbines.
'Ihe Drennans are fighting the
proposed K2 Wind project,
which could see upwards of 140
turbines erected in Ashfield-(:ol-
borne-1rVawanosh 'Township.
It's a province -wide issue.
"It is really important that were
are here today, said Louie Gillis,
of Flesherton, in Grey County.
"'There are 91 communities now
who are saying no to turbines.
But the new Wynne government
seems determined to carry on
with this. We use every means
possible to fight this."
Stan Franjkovic said the Bor-
nish project near his home in
Parkhill has raised big concerns
for community members, includ-
ing health issues and declining
property values. Franjkovic, a
realtor for 25 years, is angry with
the Liberal government.
Franjkovic said he left com-
munism behind in the former
Yugoslavia only to "find it again"
in Canada.
Drennan, represented by high
profile Toronto lawyer Julian Fal-
coner, has asked the court for an
injunction to stop the Ministry of
the Environment from issuing
approval of the project until fed-
eral health studies are
completed.
Drennan said the province
and K2 have brought their own
injunction against him to try and
strike his claim and have it move
forward in court.
A near full day of arguments
was expected Friday in Superior
Court of Justice. Opponents of
wind farnts have protested
throughout the province and the
issue remains on the front burner
at all levels of government in
Ontario.
Before he entered the
411:11
Wind
iu"O�nttsl
• :.a
J1wtV�
SCAM wnn
Patti Cluft Goderrch Sign;ai Star
Stop the turbines
Protestors stand atop the stairs in front of the Huron County
Courthouse to show their opposition to a proposed 140 turbine wind
farm in Huron County.
courthouse, Drennan said there
is a long list of literature pointing
to adverse health effects of wind
turbines.'Ihe provincial govern-
ment knew that people were
being harmed, he said, accord-
ing to information obtained
through the Freedom of Infor-
mation Act.
Protestor Bill MacKenzie can
attest to the negative health
effects.
Living at the north edge of the
Enbridge project near Kincar-
dine, he suffered through years
of sleep deterioration, a com-
mon complaint front residents
living near wind farms. Ile went
on holiday for a month and
"slept like a baby."
"When I got back it came back
immediately."
MM'tacKenzie's home is tiltttost
two -kilometres front the nearest
turbine. Ile has talked to others
in the area living closer to the
wind farm and they share health
problems.
Property values are a big con-
cern, he said.
MacKenzie has left his home
and moved in with his partner.
"1 was lucky, 1 had a house to
go to:"
The closest wind turbine
would be 650 -metres front the
Drennan family farm. Another
11 would be within two kilom-
eters. A 270 MW substation is
planned close to the Drennan
home.
Drennan said his fancily has
lived in the area for generations.
Ilis great-grandfather was a
I luron County Councillor from
1919 until 1921.
"1 can show the maps where
my fancily has been here since
the beginning (of the township),
I grew up here. I love this place. I
don't want to see it spoiled."
get it
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