Full Breakdown
Coyote Bite Leads to Lethal Intervention in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
A visitor camping near MacIntosh Brook in Cape Breton Highlands National Park was bitten by an aggressive coyote on a Thursday evening. While retreating to a cook shelter, the individual fell and sustained bite wounds to the leg. The injuries were described as minor, and the visitor received medical attention. The same area saw a coyote killed by park staff on the following Saturday after the animal repeatedly approached patrolling personnel, a behavior officials linked to loss of natural fear and possible food conditioning. It remains unclear whether the killed animal was the one involved in the earlier bite.
Parks Canada Response
Parks Canada confirmed that staff killed the coyote in the MacIntosh Brook vicinity after it repeatedly approached staff, indicating habituation to humans. The agency emphasized ongoing monitoring of the site, assessment of potential food attractants, and the installation of additional wildlife warning signs. Temporary closures of the MacIntosh Brook trail, the Lone Shieling, and nearby look-offs remain in effect, with no set timeline for reopening. Officials urged visitors and local residents to respect all closures, avoid feeding wildlife, and report concerning animal behavior.
Visitor Guidance and Area Closures
The park’s public advisories advise anyone encountering a coyote not to run, to appear large, make noise, and back away slowly. Additional signage warning of aggressive coyote behavior has been posted along the Old Town Trail near the Fortress of Louisbourg, and recent sightings have been reported in the surrounding region, including a close encounter on Causeway Drive in Sydney River.
Verbatim Quote
“While retreating to the cook shelter, the visitor fell and sustained bite wounds to their leg from the coyote. The visitor sustained minor injuries and has since received medical attention,” — Parks Canada