Coyote Seen in Eisenhower Park Today

Today while exiting Eisenhower Park I spotted what looked like a coyote. The animal looked exacly as the one in the picture. The time was roughly around 1:00 P.M. and the animal appeared to skulk in the shadows of the forest tundra. In the event someone else has an encounter this post is intendeed to alert todays readers of their presence and to follow the following precautions.

To prevent coyotes from becoming further habituated to humans and human occupied areas please follow these tips:

1. Never feed coyotes intentionally or unintentionally. Be aware of possible sources of food in your yard.

2. Do not leave uneaten pet food outside.

3. Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get into it.

4. Secure garbage containers and eliminate their odors. Use a small amount of ammonia or cayenne pepper in the garbage to discourage scavenging.

5. Restrict use of birdseed. Coyotes are attracted to seed, and to the birds and rodents that use the feeder.

6. Wherever possible, eliminate outdoor sources of water. Be aware that coyotes will prey on coy fish if the fish do not have proper cover or a deep enough pond.

7. Trim and clear ground level shrubs that can provide cover for coyotes.

8. Use fencing to help deter coyotes. The fence must be at least six feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below ground level.

9. Actively discourage coyotes by making loud noises. Motion detector lights and alarm systems can also help from keeping coyotes out of your yard.

10. Pick fruit as soon as it ripens and keep rotted fruit off the ground.

11. Scattered mothballs and ammonia-soaked rags strategically placed may deter coyotes from entering your yard.

12. Keep cats and small dogs indoors, allowing them outside only under strict supervision.

13. Keep chickens, rabbits and other small animals in well-protected areas and in sturdy cages at night. Cages made of chicken wire are meant only for keeping small animals contained, not to keep coyotes out!

14. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs. Unspayed female dogs in season will attract male coyotes, and unneutered male dogs can be lured away by the scent of a female coyote. There have been cases of male dogs being lured by the female coyote's scent and then killed by male coyotes.

15. If you do not mind sharing your space with coyotes, enjoy observing them with binoculars when they visit.

Coyotes are shy and a lot of patience is required to observe them. Coyotes will appear most often during the hours close to sunrise and sunset. In urban areas, coyotes may be a little bit bolder. Do not attempt to approach a coyote. It will most likely run away, but any cornered or frightened wild animal can be dangerous. Most importantly enjoy the brief and fortunate opportunity to observe one of the wild kingdom’s most amazing creatures. We all have something to learn form the coyote’s adaptable and undefeatable nature.

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