Coexisting With Coyotes

It doesn’t take much to lift the veil and realize that we cohabitate with a range of wild animals, some that remind us of Bambi and others that we’d rather not think are roving our neighborhoods.

In San Francisco, this message hit close to home as three coyote pups were recently born inside Golden Gate Park. The city’s coyote population now sits at 13, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The newborn pups—of which there may be more than three—are part of a “Bay Area-wide coyote population explosion.”

While the sight of the carnivores might frighten some, Camilla Fox, the executive director of Project Coyote, a nonprofit that aims to teach humans how to coexist with coyotes, told the Chronicle that the animals help to "keep the rodent population and other mesocarnivores—like foxes, skunks and raccoons—in check, which helps songbird and ground-nesting bird populations."

The untamed canines typically aren’t aggressive towards humans and dogs, however they will protect their den from intruders during pup-rearing season, which runs from April through August.

Though coyotes might not deserve the bad rap some give them, San Francisco’s newest wildlife raises the question of just how many coyotes live among us here in Cupertino.

Have you spotted any coyotes in the area? Tell us in the comments about your coyote encounter.

If you have any snapshots of these wily critters, share them with us by uploading them to this article.

Project Coyote provides these tips on how to coexist with the wild animals:

• Do not feed coyotes. Keeping coyotes wild is the key to coexisting.
• Remove attractants. Feed pets inside, contain waste, compost and pick up fallen fruit.
• Supervise your pets. Walk dogs on a leash and keep cats inside for safety.
• Keep coyotes wary. If you are approached by one, act big and make loud noises.
• Appreciate coyotes at a distance.

For more information, check out Project Coyote’s website.