Wildlife and Humans
There have been a number of coyote sightings in our urban and suburban neighborhoods recently. This can cause concern among our residents, and for good reason. Coyotes have a reputation for being predators and have caused a lot of loss and damage for people across the state of Kansas.
All creatures, humans included, need food, water, and shelter to live. By keeping these things in mind, you can work to create an environment that is not conducive to a coyote. Typically, coyotes will feed on rodents, rabbits, fruit, vegetables and deer killed by vehicles. In an urban setting, this means that they have many sources of food or can move on to find a readily available source nearby.
Do not feed coyotes. Leaving garden vegetables and fruits out for coyotes to scavenge is a way of unintentionally feeding them. Also do not leave your small dogs or cats unattended in the backyard. Our smaller pets are the same size as coyotes regular prey and can be a tempting meal if they are left unattended. It is also important to not leave water sources open available to passing coyotes.
As with any wildlife, the more human interaction an animal receives, the more comfortable the animal will become around humans. Do not spend time actively searching out an animal or trying to spend time with or around it. You would be conditioning the coyote (or other wildlife) to get used to human presence and less likely to be intimidated by human presence.
When should you be concerned? If a coyote is acting unafraid of human presence and is continuously seen in your neighborhood, it may be time to consider having the animal removed. In our urban settings, the best choice would be to hire the services of a professional who knows the laws and regulations around wildlife.
When should animal control be involved? If a coyote appears to be staggering, looks sick, or is aggressive in broad daylight. Your city animal control is a good resource to call. These symptoms are usually found in sick coyotes and these are the animals that we should be concerned about as they will not exhibit normal behavior.
What should you do if a coyote comes into your path or your yard? Do not run but face it, shout, or throw something at it. If you come across one in the daytime, there is a chance that this coyote is accustomed to humans and may take some persuading to get it to move on. Coyotes will generally leave the vicinity of a loud and ‘menacing’ human.
The biggest take-home message I want to share is to be observant. In every topic area I discuss, my best advice is to pay attention to your surroundings. Know what is normal in your yard and neighborhood. Learn what squirrels and other wildlife inhabit your area. Learn what their activity is like and pay attention when it changes. This is your best tool in learning to live with wildlife and to have a positive interaction.
For more information on urban coyotes, I would direct you to check out these resources:
https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Damage-Control/Coyotes-in-the-City
https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/
