Urban Coyote Coexistence and Welfare

Coyotes have successfully colonized urban environments across North America, and learning to coexist with these adaptable predators is essential for both human and coyote welfare.

Key Facts

Coyotes now inhabit every major US city including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Urban coyotes are generally non-aggressive toward humans and play important roles in rodent control
Lethal removal of coyotes is ineffective — territory is rapidly reoccupied by new individuals
Hazing — using non-harmful deterrents to maintain coyote wariness of humans — is the recommended management approach
Intentional feeding of coyotes is the primary cause of dangerous human-coyote habituation

Welfare Considerations

Urban coyote welfare requires protecting these animals from lethal persecution while managing the behaviors that lead to conflict. Hazing programs that maintain natural wariness of humans reduce the chance that individual coyotes develop the dangerous habituation that ends in their lethal removal. Coexistence benefits coyotes through reduced mortality and benefits humans through natural rodent and Canada goose management. The welfare of urban coyotes depends on humans learning to live with rather than eliminate them.

What You Can Do

Never feed coyotes — intentional or unintentional feeding causes dangerous habituation
Practice and teach hazing to any habituated coyote you encounter
Keep small pets supervised outdoors especially at dawn and dusk
Support local coyote coexistence programs and hazing education initiatives
Advocate against lethal coyote removal programs and for non-lethal management approaches