Urban Coyotes: What are the issues?

Lois A. Balin Urban Wildlife Biologist Texas Parks and Wildlife

We All Make Value Judgments

Is this Good or Bad?

Why do some coyotes become nuisance animals in urban areas?

Cities are subsidized environments for coyotes Humans train coyotes to have behavior problems Coyotes quickly adapt to urban/suburban living

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?

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2009

What is a coyote?
Size of lanky German Shepherd Pointed ears Long tapered muzzle Slender legs Small feet Yellow eyes Uncurled bushy tai Tail carried low Color varies

What is a coyote?

Scientific Name = Canis latrans means (barking dog) 11 different vocalizations! Often called song dogs
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/wildlife/coyote_pictures.htm

Appearance

Male - 2.9 Feet, ~ 33 lbs Female- 2.6 Feet, ~ 29 lbs Tail 1.29 ft

http://sunsite.tus.ac.jp/multimed/pics/animals/coyote.gif

A good question is where do coyotes not live?

http://www.canids.org/SPPACCTS/coyote.htm#Distribution

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2009

Coyote Habitat
Extremely adaptable
Grasslands, prairies, open / closed forest, canyons, arroyos, rural, suburbia, and urban areas Dens within 6 miles of water

Is this good coyote habitat?

Is this good coyote habitat? Yes

It contains essential habitat components for wildlife: Food Water Shelter Space Plus no enemies

2.22 miles 4.93 Sq. Mi.

Home range 5 miles2 Travel 1-4 miles/night Most active 10 PM to 12 AM

What do coyotes eat?

The Far Side

EVERYTHING

EVERYTHING

The urban coyote: a new adaptation

Available Food in Suburbia and Urban Areas

Pet food Unsecured garbage Landscape fruits & seeds Compost piles Rabbits and rodents Cats Small dogs

Reproductive Biology
Breed at 1.5 years Breed January-May 63 day gestation 1 litter/year Litter 2-12, avg. 6 Density Dependent

Remember, it is all

INTERCONNECTED

Topics

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

Coyote Issues
Depredation damage to livestock, crops, etc. Disease transmission Hunting competition

Rabies Incidents among various mammals - 2005

Coyotes = 0

Coyote Issues
Depredation Disease

Hunting competition Coyotes attacking humans

Question:

Are coyotes a threat to people or children?

 About 1 person/year is bitten by a coyote in CA. 1993 to 1997, 7 coyote attacks on humans in AZ. 1979 to 1999 domestic dogs killed > 300 people in USA

 Texas2 INCIDENTS 1988 - 2003, 89 incidents in southern California Large population of coyotes, yet small number of attacks

Question: Has anyone been fatally injured?

 Unfortunately, yes, August, 1981 in Glendale, CA Unattended 3 yr. old was mauled Hand-Feedingcoyotes in the area in the weeks prior to the attack

Question:
Are these really coyote problems?

Value Judgments

Topics

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

Traditional Lethal Control

Eliminate coyotes Wildlife Services harvested 16,702 coyotes in 2004

Non-Lethal Control
Integrated Pest Management Reduce coyote damage Aversive conditioning

Legally (and ecologically)

Trapped Coyote = Dead Coyote

Non-lethal Methods to Reduce Coyote Damage

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.

Be PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE

The 7 Warning Behaviors

The Progression of Problem Coyote Behaviors

1. Increase in coyotes on streets and in yards at night 2. Increase in coyotes approaching adults and/or taking pets at night 3. Coyotes on streets, and in parks and yards, in early morning / late afternoon 4. Coyotes chasing or taking pets in daytime 5. Coyotes attacking and taking pets on leash or near owners; chasing joggers, bicyclists, other adults 6. Coyotes seen in and around childrens play areas, school grounds, and parks in mid-day 7. Coyotes acting aggressively toward adults in midday

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

Management Strategy: Begin detailed reporting (time, location, behavior) Begin targeted educational efforts Enact ordinances and enforce them

***Education***
Why are coyotes attracted to an area? Proper pet management Fence maintenance Targeted neighborhood information HOW DO I REACT?

Coyote responsible codes

 NO INTENTIONAL FEEDING  NO FEEDING DUCKS

 ENFORCE THE CODES

#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 were of no threat to them.

Chase them away Throw rocks/sticks at them

#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 Active Aversive Conditioning

Begin Active Aversive Conditioning

Throw something (rock/stick) Spray water Aggressive Be Persistent No Pain, No Gain

#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

#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

#6. Seen at mid-day around childrens 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

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 Dont leave small children unattended outside Dont allow pets to run free.

Urban Coyotes: What are the issues?

When managing urban coyotes, everyone has a role to play

Thanks

Lois Balin, Texas Parks and Wildlife 915-774-9603 Lois.balin@tpwd.state.tx.us