DEC Offers Tips To Help Prevent Conflicts With Coyotes

• by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ALBANY, NY (05/20/2008)(readMedia)-- As coyotes begin raising their pups, the animals are seen more frequently this time of year and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded New Yorkers that there are ways they can help prevent conflicts with coyotes.

DEC estimates that there are currently about 30,000 coyotes statewide. As coyotes become more adapted to living near people, hearing or seeing coyotes may become more common. These increased sightings should not be interpreted as aggressive behavior. A coyote seen in overgrown fields, brushy areas, woodlands, or habitats in between these areas of natural cover is normal.

Coyotes live throughout upstate New York and are seen in both developed and rural areas. April through June is the peak of their pup-rearing activity and coyotes have a high demand for food at this time of the year. Residents are more likely to see coyotes because of their increased activity in our environment and homeowners should take sensible precautions to avoid attracting coyotes to their property. DEC has issued the following recommendations to reduce the chances of a negative encounter with a coyote:

• Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote.

• Keep pets under control and be sure not to leave them out at night.

Coyotes may kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and cats. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for poultry, rabbits, and other vulnerable animals.

• Control other sources of food that may attract a coyote - coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain wild and wary of people. Keep your trash secure and compost bins covered. Stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts and clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding as the smell may attract coyotes. Keep dog and cat food bowls inside.

• Coyotes like areas where they can hide, yet still be near food. You can help deter coyotes by thinning brushy areas in your yard and closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes may use areas under outbuildings for resting or raising young.

• If others in your neighborhood are attracting coyotes, tell them about the hazards posed by coyotes and ask them to take the measures recommended above.

Never try to get close to a coyote. Any coyote that shows unusual boldness or acts tame should be avoided. Coyote attacks directed towards people have occurred in the western United States, and aggressive coyote behavior has also been reported in the eastern United States and in New York State.

In 2005, DEC and Cornell University began an in-depth, five-year study of coyote ecology and behavior in the urban and suburban areas of New York. This research will comprehensively evaluate coyote behavior and activity in areas where human-coyote interactions are more likely. The research will also evaluate the public's attitudes and behaviors relating to coyotes.

Should anyone notice a coyote acting strangely or causing a nuisance, call the nearest regional DEC office to report the animal. Contact information for all DEC regional offices can be found at www.dec.ny.gov on the DEC website. For more information on coyotes and preventing conflicts with coyotes in New York State, visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6971.html on the DEC website.

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