West Seattle coyotes: Upper Alki sighting

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo and report are from Mary:

Last night when I got home there was a coyote eating something in my backyard. I beat on the windows and scared it away (for a minute) before it returned to get the meal it had left behind. Unfortunately, it looks like he may have gotten a neighborhood pet, like a tortoiseshell-color cat. Since it was getting dark then, I will check the yard today for any collars or identifying information. Please encourage your readers to keep their pets inside. This coyote is much bigger than the others that seem to visit my back yard on a weekly basis. If anyone has ideas on what can be put down to keep them away, I’d love to know what would do it. I live on the Alki hillside on Lander.

The state’s main advice in the coyote chapter of its “Living With Wildlife” series is to reduce food sources – don’t leave pet food out, let alone pets – as well as scaring them away if you see them, not just with noise, but even with throwing rocks or sticks if within range.

Oakley34 March 27, 2016 (12:20 pm)

it looks to be in decent shape (less scrawny and fuller coat than a lot of others posted here). Just introduce some Roadrunners into the ecosystem…

MIchael Lally March 27, 2016 (12:47 pm)

Our cat has been missing for over a week, and I’m wondering if this might be her…

Waikikigirl March 27, 2016 (2:44 pm)

Michael Lally I sure hope that it isn’t/was your cat.

And to me that coyote looks very scrawny so it will be hunting for more food and it is mating season so females will be having “babies” to which will need food too so KEEP YOUR PETS (Cats) INSIDE

NW March 27, 2016 (4:48 pm)

In our household we keep the leftover bones and or fat in the freezer contained for the past week or two. Come garbage day we place it out that morning outside with the rest of our contained garbage.

rob March 27, 2016 (6:31 pm)

why should we live in fear for our pets ? these animals should be trapped and relocated to a more natural enviroment suited to there life style. it would be better for them and better for us. Soon or later if these animals continue to grow in numbers it will turn out bad for both us and them. They are now living in mans natural habitat and cannot end up good for them. us or someone {them} will have to give. And it wont be the humans

WSB March 27, 2016 (6:42 pm)

Too many to trap (who’s going to do it? and for what cost?) and even if “some” were trapped (or killed), scientists say, those left behind tend to produce more offspring. Scroll down to “why coyote-killing programs don’t work” – http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/coyotes/tips/against_killing_coyotes.html

Even the federal wildlife agents whose job is to kill some coyotes and other wildlife in certain circumstances give the same advice as the link we always include.

https://westseattleblog.com/2013/07/federal-wildlife-agent-its-a-neighborhood-problem-not-a-coyote-problem/
JanS March 27, 2016 (7:07 pm)

maybe because you’re a responsible pet owner. Cats can live very happily indoors. They don’t need to go out and roam. And if you have a dog? When he/she goes out to pee, etc., just pay attention at the door. Then have them come back inside. It’s not rocket science. I’m sure you are a pet owner who does not let their dog roam the neighborhood….right?We have to live together with nature, not wipe it out.
JanS March 27, 2016 (7:08 pm)

oh, and Rob? This was their natural habitat before it was man’s.
datamuse March 27, 2016 (8:30 pm)

As it turns out, a residential neighborhood with lots of green space, hidey holes, and food sources (pet food and garbage) pretty much *is* a coyote’s perfect environment. Coyotes and crows both were pretty sparse in this region before there was a city here.

dhg March 27, 2016 (7:47 pm)

Why should we live in fear for our pets? We shouldn’t. We should keep cats inside where they’re safe and dogs let out under supervision. I was just talking to someone today who saved the life of a puppy in Fauntleroy park. The owner had let the dog run loose and was distant. A bald eagle swooped down for the kill just as this guy was running up the track and scared it off. We are not going to kill every threat out there: eagles, owls, coyotes, raccoons… not to mention traffic. Asking to kill or relocate coyotes is irrational. Where there’s prey, there will be predators.

datamuse March 27, 2016 (8:32 pm)

Coyotes have filled the niche once occupied by wolves. We could bring wolves back…problem solved! ;)

Waikikigirl March 27, 2016 (9:01 pm)

Agree with JAN…YES cats can live happily indoors, my 2 do and have their whole life. (12 &11 yrs. old) our neighbors flower beds are free of my kitties poop and the birds feed happily in out front yard with no fear of my 2 spoiled brats getting them!

Wsres March 27, 2016 (9:28 pm)

Rob, they do help with rat conrol too. Our pets are not natural to this area.

Elle Nell March 27, 2016 (9:49 pm)

Thank you Jan..

Kevin March 28, 2016 (8:54 am)

Yeah, I’ve been seeing more yotes recently up here.

TW April 4, 2016 (12:47 pm)

“Where there’s prey, there will be predators”.

So…bring in the cougars! Unlike, coyotes, they ARE natural to the area. And there are very few cougar attacks in the US. About as many as coyote attacks.

WestSeattleCatWoman April 4, 2016 (1:34 pm)

agree that it is better to keep your cats indoors. (the average outdoor cat lasts 4 years (4 years!)) – and its not just coyotes, but cat fights, feline HIV (“It’s the number one killer of domestic cats” – Debbie Downer), etc. I have an 18-year old and a 17 year old and they have never had a problem staying indoors. You just have to be persistent and also have things to keep them occupied, like cat trees, windows where they can see out etc

It always makes me sad when I see the many “lost cat” signs on Alaska around that park with all the kids toys. Coyotes have been seen in that area repeatedly but still people are letting their cats out. :-(

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