Teenage folk singer Taylor Mitchell killed by coyotes

A teenage folk singer has died after being set upon by two coyotes as she hiked alone in a national park in Nova Scotia.

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Taylor Mitchell, 19, a rising star of the Canadian music scene, died in Halifax hospital yesterday after the normally shy animals attacked her as she hiked one of the most scenic trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Walkers who heard her frantic screams alerted park rangers, who shot one of the coyotes.

The Toronto-born singer was airlifted to Halifax hospital but died of her injuries, authorities said.

Bridgit Leger, a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said that police reached the scene quickly and shot one of the animals, apparently wounding it. But the wounded animal and a companion coyote managed to get away.

The two coyotes were “extremely aggressive” when rangers arrived at the scene of the attack, she added.

“Coyotes are normally afraid of humans. This is a very irregular occurrence,” Ms Leger said.

Paul Maynard of Emergency Health Services said that Mitchell was already in critical condition when paramedics arrived on the scene and had multiple bite wounds over her entire body.

“She was losing a considerable amount of blood from the wounds,” he said.

The entrance to the trail where she was attacked has been blocked as officials from Parks Canada investigate what prompted the unusual attack.

“There’s been some reports of aggressive animals, so it’s not unknown,” said Helene Robichaud, the park’s superintendent. “But we certainly never have had anything so dramatic and tragic.”

Ms Mitchell was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award this year in the young performer of the year category and was viewed as a future talent.

“Words can’t begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant, and phenomenally talented young woman,” said Lisa Weitz, Ms Mitchell’s manager. “She just turned 19 two months ago, and was so excited about the future.”

Ms Weitz said that the singer had been savouring her independence as she “had just gotten her licence and her first set of wheels to take her on the road”. Ms Mitchell last performed at a small concert in Lucasville, and was due to continue this week with a tour of eastern Canada that she had been eagerly looking forward to.

“Taylor was a brilliant and beautiful light that people were naturally drawn to,” said Michael Johnston, who produced her debut CD, For Your Consideration, earlier this year.

“She was so young and talented — her big dreams were a perfect match with her big, kind heart.”

Coyotes, which are also known as prairie wolves, are found from Central America to the United States and Canada.

Bob Bancroft, a wildlife biologist, said that coyote attacks are extremely rare because the animals are usually shy.

Mr Bancroft, a retired biologist with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources, said it’s possible the coyotes thought that Mitchell was a deer or other prey.

“It’s very unusual and is not likely to be repeated,” Bancroft said. “We shouldn’t assume that coyotes are suddenly going to become the big bad wolf.”

Ms Mitchell wrote on her website two months ago of her excitement at a forthcoming gig. “I’ll be playing my first show in Owen Sound this fall and am incredibly excited to be playing in what feels like my real home town.

“My entire family is from the Sound, both the McKays and the Mitchells. Both families are big, but the McKays practically owned the town and are to numerous to keep straight…”

“Our cottage is on the shores of Georgian bay. It’s 125 years old with three bedrooms that sleep two and one bedroom that sleeps four, plus a bunk house. It’s old and creaky and absolutely beautiful. As I sit on my couch in my apartment, I’m homesick for the precariously slanted stairs, tennis courts, lake, and wonderful memories.”

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