Another Coyote Sighting

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

coyoteAlthough debate has been growing about what to do about the apparent coyote problem around the Upper West Side (several sightings were reported in early February in Central Park, and a whopping three coyotes were spotted on Columbia’s campus on February 8th), it seems that the current approach the Parks Department is taking is to leave the coyotes to roam.  We came to this conclusion after hearing from a My Upper West tipster that yet another coyote sighting has occurred in Central Park.  Susan C. spotted the coyote on Sunday evening, heading north on one of the the main pathways just off of West Drive around 64th after coming from the Heckscher Ballfields area.  She reported the coyote looking “dazed and confused as to where to go,” and called 311 (and subsequently 911) to report the sighting (strangely enough, authorities had just received another call about raccoons wandering from the park onto Central Park West).  She and her Shi Tzu managed to leave the park after keeping a safe distance from the coyote.  Unless this coyote is a different one from the one roaming Central Park last month, we are thinking that authorities either cannot capture or have chosen not to capture the animal.  Remember, if you see a coyote, keep at a safe distance, keep your pets on leash, and report your sighting to 311.



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Filed under: News, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog 2 Comments »
  • http://outwalkingthedog.wordpress.com Out walking the dog

    One coyote has been living quite peacefully in Hallett Nature Sanctuary in the south end of the park. I have personally seen him or her on two separate occasions, most recently last Wednesday. (Click on Out walking the dog for a link to postings and updates on the coyote and the raccoon rabies outbreak.)

    The coyote generally comes out after dark, when the park starts to empty. People who want to see it have to wait and watch quietly, sometimes for hours. Even then you may miss its appearance as it seems to be doing its utmost to stay out of the way of humans. There is really nothing to be alarmed about. Just leave it alone, don’t feed it, and keep your dogs leashed.

    The general rule, in the unlikely event that you are approached by a coyote, is to stand your ground, and make yourself as large, loud and threatening as possible. Running away is what prey animals do. So wave your arms and shout, “Bad dog! Go home!” (just kidding)

    The city is busy trapping and vaccinating raccoons to manage the rabies epidemic – which is potentially far more dangerous to humans and their pet dogs than is the coyote.

  • Me

    Am I the only who is a little suspicious that “regular” people can distinguish a coyote from certain species of dogs? I mean, I believe that there ARE a few coyotes loose in the park or around Columbia, I just wonder if a couple of the sightings might just have been dogs. I’m not sure I could tell the difference.