 A coyote. (QMI Agency Files)
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TORONTO - A large coyote has made its way into downtown Toronto.
Toronto Police alerted the public on Monday morning that the coyote had been spotted by residents near the downtown core Sunday evening.
Officers located the coyote, but it escaped into a nearby ravine.
Police urge residents to take precautions, such as not leaving small children or pets unattended and not leaving pet food or pets outside since coyotes love to make off with them. Garbage should also be inaccessible to animals, police advise.
Residents in the north part of the city recently came across a coyote den near Earl Bales Park and found pet collars inside.
If you come across a coyote, Toronto Police advise to make loud noises and throw objects in the direction of the animal -- but not at it -- to scare it away. If that doesn't work, back away slowly, as opposed to turning and fleeing quickly, which could cause the coyote to attack.
Coyotes are omnivores, meaning they'll eat almost anything, look for easy sources of food and are attracted to ravines, swampland and parkland, where they usually build their dens.
Last July, a man doing yoga was charged at by a coyote in Riverdale Park, near the area of Sunday's sighting.
Prior to that, an eight-year-old girl was attacked and bitten by a coyote in the west end and a police office shot and killed one that charged at him.
Coyotes do not hibernate and are most active after dawn or before dusk.
