How to safely share campus with coyotes, raccoons and other wildlife
Written by Jacqueline Tung, AMS Social Media Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs 2026) with UBC Zoology researcher Nathan Lewis and UBC raccoon behaviour researcher Nicole Schroeder
UBC’s campus is home to more than 60,000 students, faculty and staff — alongside a variety of wildlife including coyotes, raccoons and other urban species.
While spotting these animals can be exciting, getting too close can be dangerous for both people and animals. Knowing when to give them space — and when an encounter warrants a call for help — can make all the difference.
UBC zoology researcher Nathan Lewis and UBC raccoon behaviour researcher Nicole Schroeder shared their advice on how students can safely share campus with coyotes, raccoons and other wild inhabitants.
Here’s what students should know.
How close is too close?
There is no universal distance that applies to every encounter. Instead, Lewis said students should pay attention to how an animal responds to their presence.
“If you are close enough to the animal where you are changing its behaviour and it is sort of reacting to you, probably you’re too close,” he said.
Students who encounter a coyote or raccoon should not move closer to get a better look. If they are already nearby, Lewis recommends backing away rather than approaching or running from the animal.
For raccoons, Schroeder said about 20 feet, or roughly six metres, is a reasonable ballpark distance, although the appropriate distance depends on the situation.
Raccoons may also signal when they are uncomfortable. Schroeder said they may growl if someone gets too close, in which case students should back away and give the animal more space.
“Keeping a safe distance is much more about the safety and the comfort of the raccoon than you,” she added.
What counts as a safe interaction?
For Schroeder, the safest interaction with a raccoon is often no interaction at all.
“You can watch them, take pictures,” said Schroeder. “Certainly don’t approach them.”
Lewis offered similar advice for coyotes, saying students should not get close enough to touch one or force it to respond to their presence.
Both researchers emphasized that students should never feed wildlife.
Feeding can cause animals to associate people with food, making them increasingly comfortable around humans over time.
Lewis said Kip, the coyote that became a familiar presence on campus, was fed by people and eventually began approaching people and dogs. Kip was later killed after being struck by a vehicle — a reminder of how human-wildlife interactions can put animals at risk.
“It’s really fun to see wildlife, but we do need to make sure that we keep them or preserve their natural behaviour and keep them wild,” said Lewis.
What signs should you watch for?
Not every wildlife sighting is cause for concern. Most wildlife on campus will be healthy and behaving normally. However, students should watch for:[Text Wrapping Break]
- Aggressive behaviour: charging, repeatedly approaching or following people, or other threatening behaviour
- Unusual comfort around people: an animal that does not try to avoid humans or seems unusually unbothered by their presence
- Signs of injury: bleeding, visible wounds, limping or difficulty moving
- Signs of illness: irregular movement, foaming at the mouth or other unusual physical symptoms
- Mange in coyotes: large or patchy areas of missing fur particularly around the tail or head, as well as scabs or sores on exposed skin.
If you notice these signs, keep your distance and contact the appropriate wildlife service rather than approaching or attempting to help the animal yourself.
Who should you contact?
The appropriate contact depends on the animal and the situation.
For an aggressive coyote or wildlife-related public safety concern:
BC Conservation Office Service — RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters)
1-877-952-7277
For an immediate emergency or injury:
911
To report wildlife-related hazard or encounter on campus:
UBC Campus Security
604-822-2222
For an injured or distressed raccoon or other wildlife:
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC recommends submitting an online report for injured or distressed wildlife.
For a list of wildlife rehabilitation centres across B.C.:
Find a local wildlife rehabilitator
Sharing campus with wildlife
“These are wild animals and they have as much right to this space as we do,” Schroeder said.
Giving wildlife space, avoiding feeding and allowing them to move through campus on their own can help students and wildlife continue to share the campus safely.
About the Author
Jacqueline Tung is a student journalist with BCIT News and a Broadcast and Online Journalism student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). She is a UBC alumna with a background in International Relations and Psychology. Originally from Hong Kong and now based in Vancouver, she is passionate about multimedia storytelling and covering human-centered stories, local voices and community issues.
