They’ve been sighted coming out of the woods at dusk and dawn looking to chow down on rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals–like, say, cats.
This spring, a neighbor spotted one “coming out of or going into Dicken Woods,” says Stephanie Hunter of the Friends of Dicken Woods. Hunter says a coyote also was seen in Pioneer Woods a few months ago. The Orchard Hills-Maplewood Homeowners Association reported a coyote on the northeast side three years ago, and another was sighted at Miller Park in the northwest three years before that.
This is a very good thing, says Jason Frenzel, volunteer and outreach coordinator for the city parks department’s Natural Area Preservation Unit. “In an ecosystem sense, they’re great,” Frenzel explains. “Right now there are a lot of herbivores out there that are not being checked by any predators. People love their bunnies, but the fact of the matter is that they eat our vegetables–and not just our vegetables. It is a significant ecological concern, and coyotes are a big help in keeping their numbers in check.”
Not everyone is so happy to see them. Folks on the northwest side reported one or more coyotes in their backyards and even on their decks in 2007. And Hunter says that one person in her neighborhood was upset because he feared the coyotes would eat his cats.
Frenzel allows that a coyote might eat a cat if it got the chance. “As a full-sized human, there’s not much reason to be afraid of coyotes,” he says. “They’re much more scared of us than us of them. I suppose small, small babies could be preyed on if left alone in the woods at dusk–but how likely is that? Seriously, though, any small mammal we love, we should keep an eye on them at dawn and dusk.
“But the best thing is to prevent the interaction with coyotes,” says Frenzel. “Keep house pets inside or under watchful eyes. Lock up outside food sources–and not just for coyotes but also for large rodents and raccoons.” If we do, Frenzel says, the coyotes will go after rabbits, squirrels, and other rodents, along with roadkill–all things we humans would like to see kept under control by somebody other than us.
Frenzel says there are likely “only a small handful” of coyotes in town. “It could be half a dozen, but probably not more. They’re solitary animals, and they cover a pretty large tract of land. We usually see them in late spring and early summer…When mothers are trying to feed their young, they’re out a bit more during daylight hours.
“They’re bouncing back from less hunting,” continues Frenzel. “It’s all part of the resurgence of small predators and flying predators. If you’ve noticed, there are a lot more hawks in town these days, plus there are the falcons at Burton Tower. And all these increases in predators are historically and scientifically correct.
“We’re getting the sense that a lot of different animals are adapting to urban life,” concludes Frenzel, “and the return of coyotes is seen as a great success in restoring natural areas. It’s just something of an adjustment for us humans to realize what we’re sharing our neighborhoods with.”
I am writing in response to the city and its foolish attitude towards coyotes. These animals are an INVASIVE SPECIES anywhere east of the Mississippi River, and we should NOT be making them welcome in our community.
First we kill all the wolves and wolverines, and drive all the bears up north, leaving a perfect ecological niche for them. No wonder they moved in. When they get here, they kill and eat anything smaller then themselves–including foxes, if they can catch them.
Now, I’m no big fan of foxes, but at least they belong here. I find it the height of stupidity that coyotes are favored over a native species, they are trashy animals at best. I have friends that live near Miller Ave. east of Zeeb Road, and they hear coyotes howling frequently, and horrible sounds of them killing things before they enjoy their gruesome feast. They have to keep their dogs under close observation all the time. One just barely escaped recently, one of its compatriots managed to drive the coyote away before it could finish the smaller dog off. It couldn’t have been any closer to tragedy.
It is absurd that humans are expected to modify their lifestyles and that of their pets to accomodate an animal that has caused so much sadness for people due to predation on the pet population. One loss is too many. There can be only zero tolerance for coyotes, as far as I am concerned. I have had 3 cats just disappear since 2000, and I live within the I-94 ring. Was it coyotes? I don’t know. An apartment maintenance worker told me he had seen one nearby after one incident. I do know, if I ever see one on my 3 acres, I will shoot to kill if I have half a chance. Yes, I am aware of gun laws and city limits. Slap on the cuffs if you catch me.
I just find it hard to believe there are people playing the role of apologist for these nasty animals, but I guess people all have their opinions, however wrong. Some people defend terrorists, too. That is what coyotes are–animal terrorists, and they must be eliminated, not encouraged to thrive because they will eat mice, which eat too many flower seeds apparently! Ridiculous!
I want to echo Don Taylor’s comment on the city’s position as articulated by Jason Frenzel. I wonder if Frenzel also has affection for buckthorn, honey suckle purple loosestrife, zebra mussels, ash borers and the other invasive species, or is it just for things with a face? He should be more concerned that the native species filling the niche, the red fox, cannot compete with this wretched predator. He is correct coyotes are “not much” of a threat to humans, but they are a threat, they do attack humans and have on rare occasion killed humans. They will kill deer and elk, if you’re that size or smaller you are potential food. So don’t just be worried about you dogs and cats, in certain situations a coyote will attack a child or small adult as a possible menu item. Thanks for spreading falsehoods City of Ann Arbor and looking after the Red Fox and us. Sheesh, will our city’s stupidity never end.
Coyotes are now much larger than in the past as they have interbred with wolves (NYTimes Sept. 27, 2010).
They are quite large just west of town where they are exhibiting more wolf like behavior and are hunting in packs as well. The deer population is much reduced this fall from their predation. I hope they don’t search in Ann Arbor for their meals this winter, it could be kids walking to school. Thanks Ann Arbor City Hall for supporting the Coyote expansion into our area…typical stupidity, but this idioocy may do more harm than just waste our taxes
Good luck in the game!