DNA confirms coyote killed by conservation officers was responsible for summer attacks in Winnipeg

A DNA profile taken from the shirt of a person attacked by a coyote matches thatof an animal that was killed by Manitoba Conservation officers this past summer, the departmentsays.

The agency releasedan update on Thursday into its investigation of two coyote attacks on children in Winnipeg's North Kildonan areain June.

Measurements of the coyote'steeth were also taken by the veterinary services branch of Manitoba Agriculture during an autopsyof the animal, and the spacing wasconsistent with the wounds on one of the two victims, Manitoba Conservation's news release said.

Two coyotes were killed by Manitoba Conservation officers in the weeks following the attacks on two boys, ages nine and four.The younger boywas attacked six days after the older one, both inthe same neighbourhood.

Both boys were treated and released from hospital.

Signs were put upin the area near Knowles Avenue and Popko Crescent shortly after the attacks, alerting the public that live trapping was taking place.

The number of human-coyote conflicts in thearea dropped substantially after the coyotes were killed.

But the number of animals is expected to rebound over time, Manitoba Conservation said in its release, adding that feeding coyotes either directly or indirectly,through feeding prey such as birds and rabbitsis believed to have played a role in their aggressive behaviour.

The Conservation release reminded thepublicto never feed wildlife, warning that making food available may attract coyotes and other predators to an area.

Coyotes that have been fed by people will become comfortable approaching humans and could become increasingly aggressive, the department said.