DEM says to remove food sources from your property
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is advising residents
that this is the time of year when coyotes may often be seen in populated areas
and suburban neighborhoods in search of food.
DEM advises the public not to
feed or have food sources available that can be easily accessed by coyotes or
other wildlife.
Coyotes that find abundant and easily obtained food resources
around neighborhoods may become bold and habituated to human activity, creating
situations that are detrimental to the animal and can also put small pets at
risk.
Coyotes
are opportunistic in their dietary habits, eating whatever is most abundant and
easily obtainable at a given time. Their natural diet typically consists of
prey such as small mammals, as well as wild and domestic fruits and berries,
when available.
Their diet largely consists of carrion – the carcasses of
animals that have died naturally or by other causes such as auto strikes.
Because coyotes do not make a distinction between wildlife and domestic animals
such as house cats and small dogs, pet owners are advised to avoid keeping cats
and small dogs outdoors and unattended, particularly at night, to protect them
from encounters with coyotes or other wildlife.
DEM
also reminds the public to:
•
Keep bird feeders out of reach of wild animals. With warmer weather finally
approaching, natural food sources for birds are more plentiful now.
• Do not
feed pets outside, or, if you do, take pet food dishes inside at night.
• Store
garbage in sheds and garages, away from doors. Double bagging and the use of
ammonia will reduce odors that attract wildlife.
• Put garbage for pickup
outside the morning of collection, not the night before.
• Keep barbecue grills
clean of grease.
• Do not put meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
•
Enjoy wildlife from a distance.
Coyotes
in suburban areas may, because of their constant exposure to the sights and
sounds of human activity, become casual or even bold in their behavior – but
not necessarily aggressive toward people – and lose their fear of humans.
Despite this, most coyotes usually make every attempt to avoid interactions
with people. Coyote attacks on people are very rare. A 2009 study found that
159 people were bitten by coyotes in all of North America between 1960 and
2006.
On the other hand, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each
year in the United States, over half of dog bite injuries occur at home with
dogs that are familiar to us, and over 800,000 receive medical attention for
dog bites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Coyotes
can often be discouraged simply by making yourself visible, and letting them
know, either by voice or other loud noises that they are not welcome. An
assertive posture and making eye contact will convey a message of authority
that coyotes will typically respect.
Should a coyote exhibit aggressive, bold,
or even curious behavior, in most cases it is best to stand your ground and not
run away. Animals that appear or act aggressively or are noticeably sick should
be reported to the DEM Division of Law Enforcement (222-3070) or to your local
animal control officer.
Adult
coyotes weigh approximately 40 pounds. The first appearance of coyotes in Rhode
Island occurred in the mid-1960s, part of a range expansion into the eastern
United States that began at the end of the 19th century.
Coyotes can currently
be found in all Rhode Island communities except New Shoreham. They may hunt and
travel alone or sometimes will travel as a group, usually an adult pair with
their offspring from the previous year. In our area, coyotes are mostly
nocturnal, mainly to avoid interactions with people.
Coyote pairs are
territorial, and will exclude other coyotes from their established territory.
Coyotes breed during late winter. Pups are born usually in April, 60-65 days
after breeding occurs. As pups grow and they begin the weaning process of
eating solid foods, the adults must spend greater time foraging, sometimes
during daylight hours.
For
more information on coyotes visit DEM's website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/.
Follow DEM on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter
(@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
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