New Public Service Announcements Offer Humane Tips for Living with Coyotes

Animal Protection Institute
Monday, 5 June 2000

SACRAMENTO -- As suburbs grow, so do encounters with coyotes and other wild animals. The Animal Protection Institute (API) is offering Public Service Announcements and safety brochures with tips on how people can avoid problems with coyotes, as a part of its Humane Ways to Live with Wildlife campaign.

While incidents between coyotes and humans are rare, coyotes are increasingly drawn to urban and suburban neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into native habitat and greater availability of food.

"Despite attempts to control coyotes using lethal methods, there are more coyotes in the United States than ever before," says Dena Jones, API Program Director. "Since most problems with coyotes are due to human actions and behaviors, the situation is unlikely to change significantly by targeting the animals. To prevent incidents, people need only to take a few simple precautions."

API offers these tips for living with coyotes:

- Never feed or attempt to "tame" a coyote.

- Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes can find cover and smaller animals to feed on.

- If followed by a coyote, make loud noises and make yourself look big. If this fails, throw rocks in the coyote's direction.

- To protect companion animals, especially cats and small dogs, don't let animals roam. Always use a leash when walking your dog. Bring animals and their food in at night.

API has a variety of brochures and public service announcements available on humane approaches to living with wildlife-including coyotes, deer, geese and more general information. Free copies of these materials may be obtained by calling 800-348-7387. Spokespersons for news shows, print articles or interview programs are also available.

For more information, or to contact Animal Protection Institute, see their website at: www.api4animals.org