Wildlife

Coyote Welfare and Urban Conflict

Coyotes are increasingly urbanized across North America, leading to human-wildlife conflict and widespread lethal control.

Key Facts

Coyotes have expanded their range across all of North America
Urban coyote populations are growing in most major cities
Lethal control is often counterproductive as it increases reproduction
Coyotes are highly social and maintain strong pair bonds
Estimated hundreds of thousands are killed annually through hunting and trapping

Welfare Considerations

Coyotes caught in leghold traps or snares suffer significant pain from injuries and prolonged confinement before death or rescue. Poisoning campaigns cause slow, agonizing deaths. Lethal control disrupts social structure, often increasing conflict rather than reducing it. Non-lethal coexistence tools are more effective and far less cruel.

What You Can Do

Support non-lethal coyote conflict management programs
Never feed coyotes, which increases habituation
Support Humane Society campaigns against indiscriminate coyote killing
Advocate against wildlife killing contests