February Newsletter
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GENERAL INTEREST<br />
OUR NATURAL<br />
environment<br />
COYOTE ACTIVITY<br />
INCREASING IN THE SPRING<br />
COYOTES EXPECTED TO BEHAVE MORE<br />
AGGRESSIVE TO PROTECT NEW PUPS<br />
Wildlife experts indicate that most coyote and human<br />
conflicts have been a direct result of human behavior such as<br />
feeding coyotes, walking a dog without a leash, or leaving<br />
food or water outside for your pets. Although these behaviors<br />
may seem innocent, they are actually<br />
harmful to you and your family, and<br />
to the health and safety of the<br />
coyote population.<br />
Spring is denning season for coyotes<br />
with new pups in the dens, and<br />
coyotes are expected to behave more<br />
aggressively. Citizens are encouraged<br />
to take precautions when enjoying<br />
the outdoors to prevent a negative<br />
encounter with these wildlife<br />
animals.<br />
DO NOT FEED COYOTES<br />
The feeding of coyotes by humans is one of the most harmful<br />
actions man can inflict on coyotes and wild animal<br />
populations. It is essential to minimize human/coyote<br />
conflict as well the health and well-being of coyotes to not be<br />
fed by humans. Coyotes used to being fed become habituated<br />
to human-provided food and alter their foraging and hunting<br />
behavior. The feeding of coyotes encourages them to remain<br />
in residential areas, increasing their encounters with pets and<br />
humans.<br />
IF A COYOTE APPROACHES YOU<br />
Be as Big, Mean, and Loud as possible<br />
• Wave your arms and throw objects at the coyote<br />
• Shout in a deep, loud and authoritative voice<br />
• DO NOT RUN or turn your back on the coyote<br />
• Face the coyote and back away slowly<br />
• If attacked, fight back with your fists and feet<br />
What You Can Do:<br />
• Never feed coyotes! Intentionally feeding coyotes is<br />
illegal and these laws will be enforced.<br />
• Keep pet food and water inside.<br />
• Discourage others from feeding coyotes.<br />
• Do not touch young coyotes. A coyote that appears<br />
orphaned most often is not; the mother is usually nearby.<br />
• Teach children not to feed, play with, or pet coyotes.<br />
• Do not give coyotes the opportunity to get into your<br />
garbage; keep garbage in sealed containers with secure lids.<br />
• Remove attractants from your yard such as pet food, water<br />
sources, bird feeders and fallen fruit.<br />
• Fully enclose gardens and compost piles.<br />
KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH<br />
As coyotes adapt to their surroundings, they have discovered<br />
that humans provide a sufficient source for food, water, and<br />
shelter. Coyotes will feed on whatever is available to them,<br />
including your household pets. While some attacks on pets<br />
have been known to occur in backyards, many coyote-pet<br />
interactions occur when a household pet is allowed to roam<br />
free.<br />
What You Can Do:<br />
• Keep pets on a six-foot leash when walking at all times.<br />
It is illegal to have your dog off a leash and the law will<br />
be enforced.<br />
• Never allow your pets to “play” with a coyote.<br />
• Pick up small pets if confronted by a coyote.<br />
PG. 16 GV NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2019