Coyotes, humans can learn to co-exist

Reader responses from the previous column on coyotes reinforced the traditional pet vs. predator conundrum or, in extremely rare cases, predator vs. human.

The readers argued that their cats can control voles and mice; that cats should be able to go outside without owners worrying about predators; and that coyotes can pose a danger to humans.

Washington had no documented coyote attacks on humans until April 2006, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Two coyotes in Bellevue were killed after two young children were bitten.

In other states, studies indicate attacks on pets may precede more serious conflicts with humans, and attacks may be related to coyotes associating food with humans and having less fear of humans.

Coyotes are creatures of habit with predictable routes, sometimes trails, greenbelts, stream corridors or yards, according to a University of Washington study.

Researchers followed coyotes at night as they hunted in residential yards, presumably looking for cats or small dogs.

Although they usually hunt alone, reports have shown teamwork, including one coyote distracting prey while the other attacks from behind.

Coyotes hunt at night, but are most active around dawn and dusk when their prey is likewise most active. They vary their hunting technique depending on the prey: sitting at a rabbit hole and waiting for it to pop out; or hearing mice moving and jumping on them.

If coyotes just lurked around the edges of yards and howled in parks, conflicts would be fewer, but they follow the hunger-must-be-fed rule and don't understand the concept of pets.

Their nature leads to complaints from bereaved pet owners or people who are afraid for their pets.

Sean Carrell, a coordinator for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, tries the educational approach with angry or scared callers, suggesting that by limiting outside food sources, pet owners can help control the problem.

“By attracting wildlife to dog food left outside, they also attract predators who hunt the wildlife. I try to show that their actions may be contributing. I suggest that they bring in their cats and small dogs at night.”

This is not always received well. Carrel recalled one Lakewood woman's reaction: “She said, ‘It's my right. I want to allow my cat and dog (to go) outside.' ”

It's hard to find a compromise when residents, knowing coyotes are nearby, let their cats roam into danger.

Ironically, cats are predators and kill a huge number of birds each year, including threatened species. Owners want to leave cats outdoors to follow their own killer instincts but want the predator that they own protected.

Carrell tells the story of a man with a bear problem. It turns out he was filleting fish in his back yard and tossing the guts in the bushes. He took Carrell's advice and stopped tossing fish parts into the shrubbery.

Later he called Carrell and said: “You know what? The problem went away.”

Coyotes won't go away, but if we understand their nature, take responsibility for our actions and don't put pets in harm's way, co-existing is not out of the question.

Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.