With the warmer weather comes an increasingly common sight… coyotes! Once spotted only in wilderness areas, the coyote has become increasingly comfortable venturing in to residential areas in the Lake George region. As a wildlife expert recently told the New York Times, “”There’s a number of things that coyotes really find to their liking in suburban communities, more than adjacent wild areas.”
While it can be startling to spot a coyote in your own backyard, there are simple steps you can take that will help keep you and your family safe!
In the spring and summer, coyotes are busy preparing their dens for pups, and then foraging for food after the pups are born. While they have a natural fear of humans, this can increase both the frequency of sightings as well as the coyote’s natural territorial tendencies.
In addition, items such as food that is left out for stray cats and outdoor pets, an improperly managed compost pile, or fallen fruit left in the yard can make your yard look like their version of the neighborhood grocery store.
“…[if] coyotes are finding a lot of resources, they can start to think, ‘Oh,
this is a really good place to be. I own this neighborhood now.” The New York Times article goes on to say, “A bold coyote that lacks a natural wariness of humans can be a problematic one.”
That’s why it’s extremely important for coyotes to keep their natural fear of humans, It will help keep them out of residential areas, and keep you, your pets and your property safe. Luckily, there are some easy tips you can follow to prevent coyote conflicts as well as advice on what to do should one decide that your backyard is his backyard.
Read the full story on avoiding conflicts with coyotes at Adirondack.net!
Additional Resources: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/learning-to-live-with-urban-coyotes/
