Alan Tudyk may play a Resident Alien on TV, but the actor recently learned first hand how coyotes have become the resident overlords of Vancouver.
Tudyk’s character is a murderous creature on the popular sci-fi show, but this week he recounted a harrowing encounter with a predator coyote after his dogs were attacked in Stanley Park.
“It wanted my dogs and wouldn’t give up for 10 minutes,” Tudyk tweeted Sunday. “Snapped at my wife, grabbed Raisin (greatest terrier mix ever) the leash saved her.”
The unprovoked attack took place March 6 and needed Tudyk’s wife and two cyclists to scare off the wild animal.
“I will be carrying a weapon now,” Tudyk wrote. “A vacuum.”
Coyote attack Vancouver Stanley Park yesterday. It wanted my dogs and wouldn't give up for 10 minutes. Snapped at my wife, grabbed Raisin (greatest terrier mix ever) the leash saved her. Took two cyclists' help to get out of there. I will be carrying a weapon now. a vacuum. pic.twitter.com/aWpWceE7Oc
— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) March 7, 2021
His show is filming in Vancouver, which keeps his family in the city and visiting the popular park.
Tudyk credits keeping his dog on-leash and his “badass wife” for going “mama bear/spider monkey” on the coyote for saving Raisin’s life.
Also it should be said, in addition to the leash that kept Raisin from becoming a snack, my badass wife went mama bear/spider monkey on that asshole coyote. Hey coyote, I know where you live.
— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) March 7, 2021
His terrifying experience isn’t unique.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has been tracking aggressive coyotes in the park and counts at least 15 involving biting or nipping incidents this year alone.
In consultation with @_BCCOS, Rangers will reopen Brockton Oval trails in #StanleyPark this afternoon as there have been no recent cases of coyotes nipping at people. Do not feed wildlife. If confronted by a coyote, don’t run. Stand tall & yell. More info https://t.co/wE4vpEL9Fr pic.twitter.com/PUjZxFHt75
— Vancouver Park Board (@ParkBoard) February 5, 2021
The Stanley Park Ecological Society is noting sightings and encounters.
This month, the group reported four sightings in the park and three attacks. On March 9 a biker was chased and nipped at. Another cyclist was nipped on March 5, and on March 2, a coyote nipped at a jogger.
Conservation Officers are investigating a new coyote attack in Stanley Park, after a man was bitten while jogging along…
Posted by Conservation Officer Service on Thursday, February 18, 2021
The incidents are frightening and unprovoked.
CO's are investigating a new coyote attack in #StanleyPark after a man was bitten while jogging along the seawall last night. Please avoid the area – if you are jogging along the seawall, there is a risk you may encounter an aggressive coyote. Details: https://t.co/4IU62Rvrax pic.twitter.com/2fSeYAzZxy
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) February 18, 2021
The #BCCOS is investigating another coyote incident in #StanleyPark after a woman was bitten while jogging last night. Our Predator Attack Team is in the park working to track down the coyote. Details: https://t.co/of4cKWQvXZ pic.twitter.com/wEnFrqU4uY
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) January 22, 2021
Sightings are happening all over the lower mainland.
Trails have been shut down and people have been warned to not visit alone or during dawn or dusk when animals are more active. And, if people do encounter an animal, the advice is to shout and yell at it and not to run.
It’s not clear if the animals have been habituated by people, whether there’s something in their genetic makeup or there’s something else going on.
But the B.C. Conservation Officer Service does have stern words for people who might be feeding the wild animals.
“Coyote sightings in Stanley Park are not unusual but coyotes pursuing people is not normal behaviour. This likely indicates the animal(s) have been fed,” conservation officers said. “It is illegal to feed dangerous wildlife, such as coyotes.”
