Campers rescued from circling coyote pack

CAPE DAUPHIN, Nova Scotia, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Canadian police Monday described the harrowing rescue of three campers and a dog from a remote campsite in Nova Scotia that was surrounded by howling coyotes.

Friday night, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police received an emergency call from the trio saying coyotes had circled their tent in Cape Dauphin on the northeastern shore of the province, the Cape Breton Post reported.

The area is only accessible by boat from the Atlantic Ocean. The call triggered responses from the RCMP, the Antigonish Police Dog Services, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Coast Guard Halifax and Coast Guard Reserve.

"At one point, the three hikers were estimating there might of been as many as 18 (coyotes), and in speaking with the Department of Natural Resources personnel they actually report that the conditions that night might have been right for that many to gather," RCMP Constable Brad Anderson said.

He said it's possible the scent of the dog attracted the coyotes.

Officials determined the closest vessel to the beach was a fishing vessel, which was ordered to rescue the group, the report said.

In 2009, a Toronto woman was attacked and killed by a coyote in nearby Cape Breton Highlands National Park.