Why coyote sightings are so common in Milwaukee, and what to do if you see one

Elena Weissmann | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The next time you're out for a walk, don't be surprised if you come across a coyote. It's happening more and more in the city.

There have been 429 reported coyote observations in Milwaukee County over the past three years, according to the Milwaukee County Coyote Watch Page, with the most recent one occurring June 10 near Kilbourn Reservoir Park.

These so-called "urban coyotes" are comfortable living in cities like Milwaukee, where there is an abundance of small mammals to feast on — squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and mice — as well as many green spaces to inhabit.

People may be seeing these wild animals more frequently for a number of reasons, said David Drake, an extension wildlife specialist and lead researcher for the UW-Madison Urban Canid Project. Coyote populations are likely increasing in number while also becoming less afraid of humans, prompting everyday encounters in the park, on the sidewalk, and even in backyards.

"For animals that live in cities, the more they encounter human beings and nothing bad happens, the more those animals lose their fear of humans," Drake said. "Then they start shifting their behavior patterns, like becoming more active during the day, or moving closer to a human out of curiosity."

Coyotes may become more visible during the summer months, as this is when they are actively searching for food in order to feed their pups, Drake added.

That may explain the recent burst of coyote stories online. Most notably, in mid-April, the Milwaukee County Transit System made waves when they posted a viral video on Facebook of a small black cat chasing a coyote, as seen by one of their bus drivers.

Others have taken to Twitter to report their coyote sightings, such as Courtney Rademann, digital engagement coordinator for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin:

Just saw a baby coyote running through downtown Milwaukee / Brewers Hill neighborhood .... is this series 2 of #milwaukeelion ??? #Milwaukee — Courtney Rademann (@courtrademann) May 25, 2018

And on May 13, WISN 12 News posted a video that Milwaukee resident Jill Plunkett had taken of a coyote on the city's East Side:

Video shows coyote roaming around Milwaukee's east side https://t.co/IQeo80xVlT pic.twitter.com/o0VbGoJcnX — WISN 12 NEWS (@WISN12News) May 14, 2018

Dianne Robinson, a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said she receives "a lot of calls" from people who are concerned about urban coyote sightings.

"But it's perfectly normal," she said. "Many coyotes are really comfortable with humans because they're habituated animals. People just don't expect to see them."

Urban coyotes are not dangerous to humans, though they will occasionally kill a small dog or cat if given the opportunity. This is why Drake and Robinson recommend being extremely vigilant with pets, especially if your backyard is not fenced in. They also recommend keeping pet food inside and fencing off compost piles, as both can attract coyotes and other wild animals.

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If you encounter a coyote, whether on the street or in your own backyard, the best response is to scare it off. This hazing re-instills fear of humans in the coyote, making these close encounters less likely.

"Anytime you see a coyote, first you should enjoy watching that coyote. They are beautiful animals. But after that, you should scare it," Drake said. "Wave your arms in big circles and throw sticks in the general area, or whistle at the coyote. Then it should walk away from you."