Coyote
Photo by Brad Manchas |
FAQs: Coyotes in town
Some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about urban/suburban wildlife fielded by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists are about coyotes.
WDFW wildlife biologist Russell Link of Mill Creek, author of “Living With Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest,” answers the top five.
Q: How can coyotes live in cities and towns?
A: Coyotes adapt very easily to making a living almost anywhere there’s a steady food source, hiding cover and potential den areas. As bright and wary canines, they are quick learners and can survive close to humans, often without even being noticed. Although they prey on mice, rats, gophers, squirrels and other small animals, coyotes in cities and towns also make meals of available garbage, garden crops, and even small pets like cats. The main reason coyotes can live in cities and towns is because humans let them, by both intentionally and unintentionally providing food sources and allowing “territorial trespass.” The best ways to minimize coyote residency in urban/suburban areas is to remove food sources and assertively let them know they are not wanted through various kinds of harassment.
Q: Are coyotes dangerous?
A: Coyotes occasionally kill cats and even small domestic dogs for food, or to protect territory. They are very protective of their young and will attack dogs that get too close to their den and pups. There were no documented coyote encounters directly with humans in Washington state until April 2006, when Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers euthanized two coyotes in Bellevue (King County) after two young children were bitten while their parents were nearby. Coyotes had also scratched and snapped at two women and charged a man in the same area. These coyotes’ unusually aggressive behavior resulted from being fed by people. Humans increase the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes by deliberately or inadvertently feeding the animals, whether by handouts or by providing access to food sources.Like any dog, coyotes can quickly associate food with humans and will let them know they are hungry by becoming increasingly aggressive. A coyote that is born and raised in an urban setting and associates humans with food can be potentially dangerous.
Q: How do you prevent a coyote attack?
A: Never feed coyotes or give them access to garbage, pet food or other food sources. Don’t feed feral cats (domestic cats gone wild); coyotes will prey on these cats as well as any feed you leave out for them. Prevent the buildup of feed under bird feeders; coyotes will eat the bird seed as well as the birds and rodents drawn to it. Keep dogs and cats indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. Never leave small children unattended where coyotes are frequently seen or heard. Modify the landscape around children’s play areas to prevent hiding cover for coyotes.
Q: Are coyotes native to Washington?
A: Coyotes are considered native to eastern Washington. They dispersed into western Washington using human-created travel corridors, occupying clear-cut forested areas and other open habitats. Coyotes are now abundant on both sides of the states, including our urban ecosystems where they have an important role in controlling small animal populations.
Q: How many coyotes are in Washington, and in our cities?
A: No one really knows how many coyotes are around, but based on available habitat and their breeding success, coyotes are probably at least twice as abundant as black bears, which are estimated at 25,000 statewide. No one knows how many coyotes live in our cities and towns.
For more on living with coyotes, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm. |
