Wild Coyote Urban Welfare and Coexistence

Urban coyotes face unique welfare challenges from human conflict, vehicle strikes, and poisoning while providing important ecological services.

Key Facts

Coyote populations have expanded dramatically across North American cities over recent decades as they adapt to urban environments
Urban coyotes face elevated mortality from vehicle collisions, rodenticide poisoning from secondary exposure, and lethal control
Feeding coyotes habituates them to humans, increasing conflict and ultimately leading to their lethal removal
Hazing — using noise and assertive behaviour to reinforce natural wariness of humans — is effective and humane
Coyotes provide ecological services including rodent control and scavenging that benefit urban environments

Welfare Considerations

Urban coyote welfare is complicated by the conflict between individual animal needs and human safety concerns. Coyotes that become food-conditioned through intentional or accidental feeding lose their natural wariness and come into conflict that ends in their removal. The most effective welfare outcome comes from maintaining healthy wariness through consistent hazing and securing food attractants, allowing coyotes to coexist without triggering lethal management responses.

What You Can Do

Never feed coyotes — habituation leads to conflict and ultimately their removal or euthanasia
Secure garbage, compost, and outdoor pet food to remove food attractants from your property
Use hazing techniques including loud noises and assertive posture when coyotes approach too closely
Keep pets leashed or supervised in areas with known coyote activity, particularly at dawn and dusk