As was predicted, the coyotes are moving further in to the neighborhood. Tonight a coyote ran from the Greenway by the Spider Sculpture., West of Berkman, across Tom Miller and through that vacant field. The coyote that snatched a dog from Wildflower Terrace was dark in color, this one was siliver grey. Also, this is much earlier than previous spotting. If this bothers you, please call 311 and request that the coyotes be trapped and relocated. If we get enought requests, there may be some action. Thanks Neighbors
I too would rather not have coyotes here, nor what they normally feed on, but I spotted a black cat loose at Berkman Drive and Tom Miller at 11pm last Thursday night. A midnight snack for a coyote? Until all the wild critters are gone, the neighborhood could do without irresponsible pet owners sending them mixed signals.(Again, a reminder to carry pepper spray. It sells for less than $20 at any big box or sports store)
Thats opening up a entirely different discussion on weather or not cats should be indoor/outdoor or not. Bottom line is with our increasing population we have given wild animals very little option as to where they live or how to go about seeking food. Unlike us they can't hire someone to move them across country for a different life somewhere else. I can only imagine the discussions the coyotes are having with each other about us. Eventually with enough calls to 311 maybe they will be "relocated." Until then be careful if walking outside, carry pepper spray, don't put your garbage cans out early and don't leave your pets outside alone or run the risk of losing them.
I applaud the call for a little personal responsibility here. We do SHARE this place with 'wild critters'. Trying to remove every single aspect of danger, effort, and hardship from our lives is exactly what is ironically threatening us most today. I do understand that with an artificial ecosystem (like Mueller) things can often be terribly imbalanced and certain populations may grow too fast. I'm not against relocation in this case. But: "Until all the wild critters are gone" ? No way man, that's not the way life is supposed to be.
Here is some factual information about coyotes. Source "Nature Watch Austin: A Guide to the Seasons in an Urban Wildland," by Lynne and Jim Weber, Texas A&M University Press, 2011, pp. 4-7. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in birds, butterflies, lizards and all the diversity of native wildlife in Austin.
EXCERPT:
Although the Coyote (Canis latrans) has been (and continues to be) one of the most persecuted mammals in human history, this is largely due to widespread common misconceptions and myths that surround the species. Add to the fact that they are a highly intelligent animal with keen senses of hearing, sight, and smell, and you can easily see why they are the subject of such scrutiny.
About the size of a small German shepherd, the Coyote weighs an average of 25 to 40 pounds, with long, slender legs, a bushy tail with a black tip, and large ears that are held erect.......Primarily nocturnal and very opportunistic, Coyotes will eat almost anything, but in Central Texas they prefer rabbits, rodents, and insects. Because Coyotes can utilize many different food sources and humans have all but exterminated its main predator, the wolf, Coyotes have rapidly spread to all parts of the country, including urban and suburban areas. .....
Due to misconceptions and fears about Coyotes, many people don't recognize the beneficial aspects that Coyotes contribute to our ecosystems. Predators such as the Coyote, serve a valuable function in keeping prey species in balance with their habitat. Populations of small animals, such as rodents and insects, could increase out of control without these predators. .....
Coyotes are naturally afraid of people and their presence alone is not a cause for concern, although they can be habituated to rely on human-related sources of food. Simple steps you can take to peacefully coexist with them include keeping your garbage and recycling inside and secure until the morning of pickup, closing off crawlspaces under porches and decks, feeding your pets indoors, keeping your pets indoors at night (especially cats and small dogs), and educating your neighbors to do the same.
Like all wild animals, Coyotes have a right to inhabit our wild places, including the preserves that border our suburban homes and neighborhoods. If you do your part to help strike a proactive balance between humans and these wild creatures and respect their right to exist, you may well be rewarded with a familial chorus of eerie howls on a moonlit night.
...Research shows that .... when left alone, they can easily regulate their numbers.
I asked my son, who works for Texas Parks and Wildlife, about coyote relocation. Here's his reply.
Megan Russell in the Wildlife Permits Program will be able to give you all the info you need to know, for anyone who might want to follow up with them (about possible relocation or other options):
TPWD will not provide relocation services but it would be prudent to check in with them to make sure everything is conducted in accordance with state regulations. Typically removal from urban areas is conducted by an approved contractor or city services. Private contractors can be used as long as they are certified to handle "rabies vector species." Relocation of coyotes can be difficult because you will have to find a place to accept them. Euthanizing them is more typical and usually requires nothing more than a hunting license (they are considered a depredating species, so no bag limits, seasons, or restrictions on means and methods), but I'm sure that's a less palatable option to the residents in your area.
Anyone who gets all warm and fuzzy about coexisting with coyotes on the streets of Mueller has not lost a pet to them. They may be naturally afraid of humans, but the ones in NW Hills overcame their fear quickly, and one took a dog off his master's leash on Sierra Drive. The coyotes here will get bolder and bolder, and it will not be long before there are posts on this board about coyotes in front yards or going into back yards to take unattended pets. They are predators, and soon there will be no cats or dogs running loose. Coyote canapés. They need to be killed or relocated ASAP.
I agree the coyotes must eventually be dealt with (hopefully relocated). Mueller does not have long term plans to leave a large amount of empty space like we have today. Any empty space that remains will be parks that should be inviting to people who like to run/walk, or include playgrounds where we want our kids to play. Pay me now or pay me later; the coyotes will not be around here forever. The longer they stay the more difficult it will become for Mueller and surrounding neighborhoods, and the more dangerous it will be for the coyotes. If you prefer relocating opposed to “euthanasia” via car wrecks/lack of food/etc, they need to be relocated soon. This is a problem Catellus needs to resolve if their intent is to do the best thing for the community as a whole, including the local wildlife. If they do not plan to relocate the coyotes soon I think it is reasonable to request a long term solution for how they will handle the situation. I will send an email to Catellus requesting they monitor this topic and post a response via email or citicite.
