Several coyotes have been heard howling and seen in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx (NYC) recently and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation confirmed that this presence is “normal”.
“Although there have been recent sightings of coyotes in the Bronx, they are not new to New York City. Shorter days give them more time to forage. If you see one, don’t panic: most coyotes seek to avoid people. Watch from a distance and secure your trash,” the Parks Department said this morning on its Twitter account.
“For the past several decades, coyotes have been expanding their natural range in response to abundance of food and open habitat,” the Department previously said in a statement quoted by Fox News. “Coyotes live within the city limits, we know they live in the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan”.
NYC Parks recalled that the food inside the garbage attracts wildlife, including raccoons and coyotes. That’s why officials recommend using pet-proof lockable trash containers and mint-scented trash bags.
“Seeing a coyote for the first time can be an exciting or frightening experience,” stated the Parks Department. “By following simple coexistence guidelines, such as observing them from a distance, you can keep yourself, your family, your pets, and even coyotes safe.”
The Parks Department website has information Additional and up-to-date information on wildlife in New York City and tips on what to do when you encounter different species. For example, you should never feed coyotes because doing so could cause them to get used to people. “Keeping coyotes in the wild is the key to coexistence,” the Department states. “Their lives and your safety depend on coyotes naturally distrusting people.”
Coyotes resemble dogs. But unlike a canine, the coyote’s tail hangs down and usually has a black tip. And although they are afraid of people, they can be very dangerous for pets.