Bunny, the no-tail coyote

A photo of the no-tail coyote referred to as Bunny.

Many who follow wildlife in Toronto will recognize the coyote with no tail, known as “Bunny” to some. For well over a year, she has travelled across the city, rarely staying in one place for more than a few days. One day she might be seen in Colonel Sam Smith Park, only to appear in High Park the next. She has travelled up to ten kilometres a day, making it nearly impossible to predict where she will show up next.

She occasionally visits Liberty Village, and it is very possible that the two coyotes unjustly killed there last May were her kin. Her constant movement likely stems from the fact that she does not have a territory of her own. Most of Toronto’s parks and green spaces already have established coyote families, making it difficult for her to settle or integrate.

For anyone who believes that relocating coyotes from urban areas to “elsewhere” is a simple solution, Bunny’s experience offers a valuable lesson. Even in a region full of parks, finding a new place to live without displacing others can be a struggle.

Since August, she has had what appears to be sports netting wrapped around her neck. Fortunately, it does not seem to affect her mobility. Toronto Wildlife Centre is aware of her situation and has been monitoring her, but her wide ranging movements make it extremely challenging to locate and safely contain her for treatment. This serves as an important reminder to remove or secure any netting that wildlife could become entangled in.

She currently pays little attention to people, preferring to just go about her day. If you see her out and about, please do not feed her directly or leave food for her. Feeding can weaken natural boundaries and put her at risk if she begins to associate humans with food.

One thing is certain: Bunny is resilient, a survivor navigating the challenges of urban living.