Community members in the Clarkson area have teamed up to help locate and identify some sick coyotes who have been roaming the Mississauga neighbourhood.

According to Ward 2 Coun. Karen Ras, a number of coyotes with mange — a skin disease caused by parasitic mites — have been reported in and around the area.

The area of concern is around the Truscott Drive and Clarkson Road area, especially around Hindhead Road, according to Ras.

She notes that the multiple coyotes seen with mange could potentially be a family.

Coyotes with mange are often seen during daylight hours, with open sores and patches without fur.

Residents have been snapping pictures and providing Ras and animal services with live sighting updates, some have even volunteered to place traps in their yards.

Mississauga Animal Services and the Toronto Wildlife Centre have been working together to catch and treat the coyotes, with the ultimate goal of a future release.

Two coyotes have been caught this season, a third was almost trapped last week, however, it escaped.

Ras notes that successfully trapping a coyote is difficult, “the problem is you need a human to be there, because of resources you can’t have some on-hand all day.”

“It does take a lot of community, city and not-for-profit resources to try to manage this issue,” she said.

Ras advises residents to “report sightings, keep cats inside and dogs on leashes” and most importantly, “do not feed wildlife.”

Residents are asked to call the Toronto Wildlife Centre hotline at 416-615-3000 and/or the animal services dispatch number 905-615-3000 to report sightings.

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Sabrina Gamrot is a reporter with the Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: sgamrot@mississauga.net

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