50 years of volunteering for Canadian Cancer Society page 16 eThe trustedtrusted voicevoice ofof ourour community.community. notllocal.com APRIL 4, 2019 Volume 1 • Issue 12 April Fool’s Athough Mother Nature played a trick on us with Sunday’s storm, it didn’t deter this angler from trying his luck in Queenston, hoping for a salmon or trout. Sometimes fishermen say if they’re lucky they can catch walleye or steel-head. The river current is strong, so the trick is to find a spot where fish can rest, usually along the rocky banks. Although there was a time when the Niagara River was an important source of food, today most fish are thrown back in. (Fred Mercnik) NOW OPEN! Tapas Tuesdays The view is Name that Tune Thursdays absolutely Family Style Roast Dinner Sunday 4-8 breathtaking! Please call to reserve. 143 FrontOpen Street, to Niagara-on-the-Lakethe Public 905.468.3424 | notlgolf.com 2 April 4, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com Coyote expert offers tips to residents where there are more people She has made more than around to make her feel safe. 800 presentations, mostly Lord Mayor Betty Disero to municipalities, in the last understands Clement’s reac- 20 years, but her work with tion, and wanted to do some- coyotes began in NOTL, and thing to help her and others led to her establishing Coy- in the same predicament. En- ote Watch to educate peo- ter Lesley Sampson, an expert ple. That was her task two in coyote behaviour, who was decades ago, when residents asked to talk to residents at a of the William and Nas- meeting last Thursday at the sau Streets neighbourhood, community centre, to help afraid of a family of coyotes calm their fears. living nearby, wanted action Before introducing Samp- from the Town. son, Disero told the audience She recalls going to see the of about 60 people she too is late Bob Howse, then Town from Toronto, where she was clerk, whom she describes as accustomed to walking late at a trailblazer in terms of cre- night on well-lit streets with- ating peaceful coexistence. out fear. With the help of his then-as- Even after 10 years of liv- sistant Holly Dowd, it was ing in Niagara-on-the-Lake, arranged for her to speak at a Tina Clement chats with coyote expert Lesley Sampson after “I don’t leave my house after meeting to educate the pub- This photo was taken on Blackbird and Jordan Streets in a meeting at the community centre last week. (Penny Coles) dark unless I have to, and lic. The Village. Elizabeth Street resident Tina Clement believes then I make sure Dan (Wil- Residents were calling it was the same coyote she saw while walking her dog re- “trotting at a good clip” to- liams, her husband) is with for relocation, but Sampson cently. (Photo supplied) Penny Coles ward her, she quickly tucked The Local me. I am so afraid of coyotes convinced them they could her Yorkshire Terrier under — I never experienced them protect their pets and learn to scream. And never turn and Sampson. Tina Clement, an urban her arm, blew the whistle and in the city. Coyotes scare me,” live without fear for their own run — slowly back away. She assured residents, if transplant unaccustomed to walked backward toward her she said. safety. She refers to the be- they have concern about coy- living in a town where you’re Elizabeth Street home. “Maybe we’ll learn a few Coyotes become more haviour of frightening a otes in their neighbourhood, never far from a rural area, is But she wasn’t happy dos and don’ts, such as what visible when their habitat is coyote to convince them to she would investigate for not comfortable sharing her about the encounter, and not to keep in our backyards. being destroyed, and the me- move on as “hazing,” and them. “And if you see some- neighbourhood with coyotes. she doesn’t mind saying she I really don’t want to do any- dia contributes to the fear of also suggests opening and one feeding them, report it.” When she heard about was afraid. “Fortunately we thing to attract them.” residents with myths about closing an umbrella for its “They are opportunistic sightings on The Villagewere close to home, but I was Sampson is the found- the animals’ behaviour, she “popping” noise, “snapping” creatures, adaptive, intelli- streets where she walks her shaking like a leaf. The whole er and executive director of said. a garbage bag, and throwing gent and resourceful,” said 15-pound dog, she bought a situation is frightening. I’m a Coyote Watch Canada, a na- Understanding their objects near them, but never Sampson. whistle and made sure to car- Toronto girl, and this is new tional, non-profit wildlife or- behaviour should alleviate at them. Turning a water hose “You live in such a beau- ry it with her. She also learned to me.” ganization which advocates some of that fear, said Samp- on them also works, she said. tiful community. Your be- how to behave around the The experience has driven for humans and canids — son, who attempted to dispel And if you’re walking a haviour will help coyotes animals, so the afternoon she her to walk her “feisty” terri- fox, wolves and coyotes — to some of those myths. dog, she said, be sure to keep learn their boundaries.” came face-to-face with one er on busy downtown streets, live in peaceful coexistance. “When I sit down with them close — the long, re- When there are several people from municipalities, tractable leashes that allow sightings in one neighbour- it’s to talk about what works, your dog to be at a distance hood, it can leave the im- and what’s safest for you,” she from you are not a good idea pression there are many ani- said. in an area frequented by coy- mals roaming the streets, but Coyotes take their cues otes. likely it’s only one navigating from what humans are Sampson also addressed through the community on demonstrating, she ex- the myth of coywolves as a regular route for food, she plained, and they need to be a new, larger and more ag- said. given a clear message to stay gressive species. The animals Reached by Clement away. seen in Ontario are eastern about her encounter in The One of the most difficult coyotes, who mated with Al- Village, Sampson went for a issues to resolve is people gonquin wolves a century ago drive around the neighbour- feeding them, usually unin- and so share their DNA, she hood with her, checking out tentionally through the pres- explained. possible food sources, includ- ence of bird feeders or cat “That happened 100 years ing bird feeders. food left outside for feral cats. ago. They’re nothing new. One neighbour was quick Both attract rodents, and And genetics doesn’t matter. to remove her bird feeder af- rodents attract coyotes, as What matters is reshaping ter hearing it could be attract- well as birds of prey. their behaviour.” ing the coyote in The Village, Bring this ad in for a “We’re not really here be- Coyotes mate for life, and but another “is fond of her 10% Lunch Discount cause of coyotes, we’re here co-parent, she said, dispelling birds,” said Clement. Valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in April because of the ecosystem of another myth about them She was somewhat reas- which they are a part,” Samp- travelling in packs. sured by Sampson’s presenta- son said. Typically, once the pups tion, and learning they don’t “Coyotes are not new to are old enough to mate, they stalk humans, and present NOTL,” she added. “Maybe move on, but not always. little danger to them, she said. We will be OPEN some of you are, but they’ve “Every family is unique. “I’m not afraid for my throughout Easter Weekend! been here for a long time.” Coyotes are loving, devoted own safety,” said Clement. Wine Boutique and Tasting Bar She suggested when pets parents.” “She assured me of that. But Regular Hours Good Friday & Easter Monday disappear, there are other A family of parents and I’m still nervous for my dog.” Reduced Hours – Easter Sunday reasons more likely to be the pups will claim a territory, Disero also said she felt “a cause than a coyote. “Bad the size of which will depend little bit reassured. It helped things happen to animals. on available food and shelter, that Lesley explained coy- GOOD FRIDAY - We will be Open for Dinner! They get hit by a car, or some- and could be as varied as five otes are not walking around Reduced hours for EASTER SUNDAY one else may take them. Un- to 20 kilometres. neighbourhoods killing ani- Regular Menu plus Seasonal Specials available less you see it happen, don’t She also dispelled the mals and attacking humans.” blame a coyote. From a scien- myth of coyotes screaming From the calls she’s re- Traditional Turkey Meal $ 9 5 tific view point, it’s not likely.” because they’ve killed an an- ceived, she said, she’s learned per person (plus tax and gratuity) available April 19th-22nd 17 She cites scientific stud- imal and are about to eat it — coyotes are becoming “a For a full listing of our Easter Weekend Hours and Specials, visit our website ies of scat, which show 83 what can sound like a pack of bigger issue” in some neigh- www.CarolineCellars.com or check out our Facebook page per cent of the diet of eastern four or five is usually two, and bourhoods, especially The coyotes is small animals, but they’re communicating to Village and St.