HOLLYWOOD, MD — With the first sighting of a coyotes in 1972, these mid-sized members of the canine family have expanded their usual range in the prairies south and east. Who or what is to blame for the wily animals expanding their range and adapting to modern society?
One cause could be humans themselves. We’ve almost wiped out other competing predators such as the wolf and mountain lions, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources web site.
Human settlers also cleared eastern forests for agriculture, shipbuilding and other industries. This change in the landscape created a better setting for coyotes, with more field and edge habitats similar to what they had been accustomed to in the Midwest.
With a more familiar landscape and a decrease in competition, coyotes followed two major paths starting in the 1990’s. One path took the canines through Canada, around the Great Lakes, into New England and then south. They also went south across the Mississippi River, through the southeastern states and then north.
Maryland and Delaware were the last two states in the east to be inhabited by coyotes, since the northern and southern expansion routes met here. They can now be found nationwide and throughout most of Canada and Central America.
The first reported Maryland sightings came in 1972 in Cecil, Frederick and Washington counties. Though they were slow to establish a breeding population, they now inhabit all counties, with higher numbers in the western part of the state.
They thrive in a variety of different conditions and terrains, including forests, open fields, tidal wetlands and the greenways that surround many suburban communities. It appears they have been utilizing these spaces for decades, though they typically avoid being seen. Wildlife biologists monitor the population primarily through harvest reporting and surveys.
Results reveal that sightings are relatively low. Both gray and red foxes–other canine cousins–are observed much more frequently. While the population is likely to increase, there is little cause for concern. Coyotes will likely continue to go unnoticed by most residents.
Remember that coyotes are wild animals and need plenty of space like other creatures. Don’t approach them or try to feed them, and make sure to not leave food out where they could access it. If you leave food out, this only increases the chance they lose their natural fear of people.
On average, reported coyote conflicts or confrontations happened less than one a year.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials have learned that when there is a conflict, such as a coyote attack on pets or livestock, it is usually the result of an individual or group of coyotes that has lost its fear of people. Once removed, the issues tend to go away, even if other coyotes are still known to be in the area.
If you have outdoor pets or livestock, try to find them inside a building and cut off access to the food from outside guests. If that’s not an option, try to give them only enough food for one meal at a time so leftovers won’t attract unwanted guests.
State law allows landowners to trap or hunt a coyote that is damaging or destroying personal or real property on their land. Additionally, technical assistance is available to residents who have experienced a conflict by calling the nuisance wildlife information line at 877-463-6497.
Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com.