Urban Coyotes:

What are the issues?

Lois A. Balin
Urban Wildlife Biologist
Value Judgments
Theme:
When managing urban
coyotes, everyone has
a role to play.
 Topics

•What is a coyote?
•What are the issues?

•What can we do about this?

 Topics

•What is a coyote?
•What are the issues?

•What can we do about this?

 What is a coyote?

• Scientific Name = Canis latrans (“barking dog”)

• 11 different vocalizations!

http://www.entm.purdue.edu/wildlife/coyote_pictures.htm
 Biology and Ecology

• General Appearance
• Where do coyotes live?
• What do coyotes eat?
• Social behavior and reproduction
• Ecological functions

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2005

 Appearance

Male- 2.88 Feet, ~ 33lbs (22-36)

Female- 2.64 Feet, ~ 29lbs (21-35)
Tail
1.29 ft

http://sunsite.tus.ac.jp/multimed/pics/animals/coyote.gif
 Where do coyotes not live?

http://www.canids.org/SPPACCTS/coyote.htm#Distribution Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2009

 How about just in Texas?

Counties with official records

Counties without official records
but known to exist
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2005
 Habitat Requirements

• Extremely adaptable
• Grasslands, prairies, open woodlands,
dense forest or boulder-strewn areas
• Dens within 6 miles of water
Is this good coyote habitat?
How about this?
And this?
 As Urban as
you can get!!!!

•Central Park

•1999

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/centralparkposters/index.html
 What do
coyotes eat?

Urban
predator / prey
interactions.

The Far Side

 Small
Mammals
Including
Rodents
Bullfrogs
Reptiles
 “Wait a minute!
Isn’t anyone here a real sheep?”

Livestock
is taken
occasionally
Plant Matter

Mexican plum
 Plant Matter

Mesquite Beans
Plant Matter

Berries
 Plant Matter
Acorns and Nuts
Carrion
Unsecured Garbage
“Puuuut the
caaaat ouuut…”

Pets…
if “available”

The Far Side

 Social Structure

Family Unit • Mated pair and offspring

The “Pack” The “Loners”

• Bachelor males
• Association of 2-6 animals
• Non-reproductive females
• TEMPORARY • Near-mature young
• Territoriality • Travel A LOT
 Other Behavioral Notes

• Home range = ~5 sq. miles (3154 acres)

• 300 acres/breeding pair
• ~1- 4 miles/night
• Active between 10 PM — 12 AM
2.22 miles

4.93 Sq. Mi.

• Acute Senses
• 25 – 30 mph
• 35 -40 mph when pursued
•
Reproductive Biology • Breed at 1.5 years
• 1 litter/year
• Breed January-May

• 63 day gestation
• Litter 2-12, avg. 6
• Density Dependent
 If you
a dj us
popu t our
lation
adjus , we
breed t our
in g o
ut pu
t.
 Ecological
Functions / Benefits

Concerns with Urban

Coyotes
• Depredation
• Human safety
 “Top Dog”
(Sort of)

Potentially Influence Couldn’t Care Less

•Raccoons •Bobcats

•Opossums •Mountain lions

•Foxes
•Feral cats
Populations Affected by Coyote “Control”

• Upland Prairie Birds

• Waterfowl
• Urban Deer
• Rodent Species
• Feral Cats
 Remember, it is all
INTERCONNECTED
 Topics

•What is a coyote?
•What are the issues?
•What can we do about this?
 Coyote Issues

• Disease transmission
 Coyote Related Diseases

•Rabies
•Distemper
•Canine Parvovirus

All 3 have pet vaccines

Early 1990’s
 2003
=3
 2004

Coyotes = 0
 2005

Coyotes = 0
 Coyote Issues

• Disease transmission

• Depredation / Damage)
• Human conflict
 Dangers Free-Ranging Pets Face

• Collisions with Vehicles

• Diseases from cats, raccoons,

skunks, etc. (Feline Leukemia Virus,
Rabies, FIV, Feline Distemper, etc.)

• “Conflict” Injuries (Same species,

raccoons, other)
 Dangers Free-Ranging Pets Face Cont’d

• Poisons (antifreeze, rat

baits, lawns, etc.)

• Unwanted Breeding
• Cruel People (Shelters
seeing increase)

• Predation (Feral Dogs,

Birds of Prey, Coyotes, etc.)
 Impact of
Free-Ranging Cats
• 60 mill. free ranging cats
in US (1990)
• Diet = 70% mammals, 20%
birds, 10% other
• One cat = 1000+ kills/yr.
• Well fed cats still hunt
• 39 million birds killed in Texas
each year

The Far Side

 Coyote Issues

• Disease transmission

• Depredation / Damage
• Human conflict
 Coyotes Depredation - Eating
Pets and or Livestock

IS
This
a
coyote issue or pet management issue?
*value judgment*
 Coyote Damage
• Eating watermelons or other crops
• Chewing drip irrigation systems
• Killing endangered species
• Human conflict
 Coyote Issues

• Disease transmission

• Coyotes eating pets

• Coyotes attacking humans
Question:
Are coyotes a threat to people or children?

• California 1 person/year
• > 300 people have been killed by domestic dogs in
the U.S. between 1979 and 1999.
• Arizona (1993 to 1997) 7 coyote attacks on
humans .
Question:
Are coyotes a threat to people or children?

•Texas—2 INCIDENTS

•1988-2003, 89 incidents in southern California

*California showed predictable pattern*

Question:
Has anyone been fatally injured?
Question:
Has anyone been fatally injured?

• Unfortunately, Yes.
• August, 1981… Glendale, CA
• Unattended 3 yr. old was mauled
• “Hand Feeding” of coyotes in the
area in the weeks prior… `
Are these really coyote problems?

Value Judgments…
 Topics

• What is a coyote?

• What are the issues?

• What can we do about this?

 Traditional
Non-Lethal
Lethal
Control
Control

• Integrated Pest Management • Eliminate coyotes

• Reduce coyote damage • Wildlife Services

harvested 16,702 coyotes
• Aversive conditioning through various means
In 2004,
 Neck Snares

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000101-
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000101-
d000200/d000129/d000129.html
d000200/d000129/d000129.html

• Can be set to lethal

• Somewhat selective
• Highly effective
 M44-”Coyote Getter”

• Short stake with spring loaded ejector

• Sodium cyanide
• Shoots coyote in mouth
 Leg hold Traps

COIL LEGHOLD TRAP

LONG SPRING TRAP

• Selective to a point*
• Publicly not popular
• A lot depends on user*
Legally (and ecologically)

Trapped Coyote
=
Dead Coyote
Other Techniques

• Aerial gunning

• Calling w/
sharpshooter

• Denning
Use of Traditional Methods in an Urban Setting

• NOT SUSTAINABLE
• Potentially Dangerous
• Acceptability to general public varies*

Let’s be PROACTIVE rather than

REACTIVE
The “7 Warning Behaviors”
Usually occur in the following order:

(Baker and Timm 1998)

#1 An increase in observing coyotes on
streets and in yards at night

Management Strategy:

• Begin detailed reporting

• Begin targeted educational efforts
• Enact ordinances and enforce them
 Detailed Reporting

• In need of a 24 hr hotline and/or online

reporting site
• Exact time and location
• Description of activity/behavior
 ***Education***
• Why are coyotes attracted to an area?
• Proper pet management
• It is a NEIGHBORHOOD issue
• Fence maintenance
• HOW TO REACT
 Coyote responsible codes

 NO INTENTIONAL FEEDING
 NO FEEDING DUCKS

 ENFORCE THE CODES

#1. An increase in observing coyotes on streets/ yards at night
#2. Coyotes approaching adults and/or taking pets
at night

Management Strategy:
• Continue detailed reporting
• Begin broad educational efforts
• Intensify ordinance enforcement
• Initiate passive aversive conditioning
 Initiate Passive Aversion Conditioning

• Get loud - Yell, shout, air horns, clap hands.

• Get big – Raise arms and wave them about while

making a sudden move toward the animal.

• Do not run away – Acting fearful trains them to

believe that we’re of no threat to them.

• Chase them away – Throw rocks/sticks at them

Tips to Prevent Nuisance Urban Coyotes
and to Reduce Coyote-Human Conflict
• Never feed coyotes!
• Eliminate sources of water
• Careful with Bird feeders
• Do not discard edible garbage
• Secure garbage containers
• Feed pets indoors
• Don’t leave small children unattended outside
• Don’t allow pets to run free.
 Non-lethal Methods to Reduce Damage
Done by Coyotes:

• Use net-wire or electric fencing to keep

coyotes out.
• Use strobe lights and sirens to scare
coyotes away.
• Use guard animals, such as dogs,
donkeys, and llamas, to protect livestock.
 Coyote-proof Fences
• At least 5 1/2 feet tall
• Solid wood, cement blocks, brick, or wire
• Net wire fencing requires the bottom portion be at least 3
1/2 feet tall with squares smaller than 6 inches
• Galvanized wire apron buried at least 4 to 6 inches in the
ground which extends out from the fence at least 15 to
20 inches
#2. Coyotes approaching adults and/or taking pets at night

#3. Early morning and late afternoon observance

of coyotes on streets, in parks or yards

Management Strategy:

• Continue detailed reporting

• Continue intense educational efforts
• Intensify ordinance enforcement
• Begin aversive conditioning
Begin active aversive conditioning

– Throw something
– Spray water
– Key to success
 Aversive conditioning

• Aggressive
• Persistent
• No Pain, No Gain
• Rock/stick better than
BULLET/TRAP
#3. Early morning and late afternoon sightings on streets, in parks or yards

#4. Daylight observance of coyotes chasing or

taking pets

Management Strategy:

• Continue detailed reporting

• Continue intense educational efforts
• Continue intense ordinance enforcement
• Begin aggressive aversive conditioning
Begin aggressive aversive conditioning

• Paintball guns
• Pepper spray
• Less-than-lethal rounds
#4. Daylight observance of coyotes chasing or taking pets
#5. Attacking/taking pets in close proximity to their
owners, chasing joggers, bicyclists, and adults

Management Strategy:

• Continue detailed reporting

• Continue intense educational efforts
• Continue intense ordinance enforcement
• Continue intense aversive conditioning
• Consider targeted lethal removal
#5. Attacking/taking pets near their owners, chasing joggers, bicyclists, and adults

#6. Seen at mid-day around children’s play area,

school grounds, or parks.

Management Strategy:

• Continue detailed reporting

• Continue intense educational efforts
• Continue intense ordinance enforcement
• Continue intense aversive conditioning
• Individual lethal removal
#7. Coyotes acting aggressively towards
adults in mid-day.

Management Strategy:

• Continue detailed reporting

• Continue intense educational efforts
• Continue intense ordinance enforcement
• Continue intense aversive conditioning
• Lethal removal of several individuals
 Lethal Control
• Last resort

• Trigger behavior--BOLD w/ Humans

• Official reports

• ONLY SELECT INDIVIDUALS 2 - 4

 Topics

• What is a coyote?

• What are the issues?

• What can we do about this?
 Theme:
When managing urban
coyotes, everyone has
a role to play.
Tips to Prevent Nuisance Urban Coyotes
and to Reduce Coyote-Human Conflict
• Never feed coyotes!
• Eliminate sources of water
• Careful with Bird feeders
• Do not discard edible garbage
• Secure garbage containers
• Feed pets indoors
• Don’t leave small children unattended outside
• Don’t allow pets to run free.
 Non-lethal Methods to Reduce Damage
Done by Coyotes:

• Use net-wire or electric fencing to keep

coyotes out.
• Use strobe lights and sirens to scare
coyotes away.
• Use guard animals, such as dogs,
donkeys, and llamas, to protect livestock.
 Coyote-proof Fences
• At least 5 1/2 feet tall
• Solid wood, cement blocks, brick, or wire
• Net wire fencing requires the bottom portion be at least 3
1/2 feet tall with squares smaller than 6 inches
• Galvanized wire apron buried at least 4 to 6 inches in the
ground which extends out from the fence at least 15 to
20 inches
 Urban Coyotes:
What are the issues?

Lois A. Balin
Urban Wildlife Biologist
 Thanks

• Lois Balin, Texas Parks and Wildlife

 Questions or comments?

Lois A. Balin, Urban Wildlife Biologist

200 N. Clark Drive, El Paso 79905
915-774-9603
Lois.balin@tpwd.state.tx.us