Wild Coyote Urban Coexistence Welfare

Coyotes have colonized urban areas across North America, and managing human-coyote conflict humanely requires understanding coyote behavior, removing food attractants, and avoiding lethal control.

Key Facts

Coyotes now inhabit virtually every major North American city including Chicago and Los Angeles
Urban coyotes have home ranges of 1 to 15 square km compared to 25 to 80 square km in rural areas
Food conditioning from intentional or accidental human feeding causes boldness and conflict
Lethal removal of urban coyotes is ineffective as neighboring animals rapidly fill territorial vacuums
Hazing programs using noise and deterrents can restore appropriate wild behavior in food-conditioned coyotes

Welfare Considerations

Urban coyotes killed through lethal control programs often suffer before death from trap injuries, vehicle strikes, or non-lethal wounding. Lethal control does not solve conflicts as replacement by neighboring animals occurs rapidly. Coyotes euthanized for food conditioning that resulted from human feeding decisions represent preventable welfare harm. Community education programs, food attractant removal, and hazing of bold individuals address the behavioral causes of conflict humanely while allowing coyotes to coexist in urban environments where they provide pest rodent control services.

What You Can Do

Never intentionally feed coyotes — food conditioning causes boldness that leads to lethal removal
Secure garbage, compost, and pet food outdoors to eliminate coyote food attractants
Learn hazing techniques to deter bold coyotes from approaching human spaces
Support Project Coyote and urban wildlife coexistence programs in your city