Coyotes spotted in west Gatewood

Just out of the inbox, from Teresa P:

Just wanted to everyone know, the West Seattle coyotes are back!

I live at the end of 44th Ave SW @ Portland and had two young adults on my property Saturday morning. They awoke me by their “talking” to each other which at times can sound very disturbing, almost scary at times. However, it is simply the way they communicate with each other. But in the middle of the night it can sound horrendous!!

Coyotes will usually return to their mating den every winter, however they did not come back last winter. I can’t say I was sad because by that spring, not only did we have two adults, we had three pups playing at the lower portion of my property. As amazing as they are to watch, it is important to remember they are wild and are not to be treated lightly. I have not had any issue with them getting into garbage or coming up to the house, however, my cat is no longer allowed any outside time after sunset or early in the morning. During the day, only when supervised.

There is sometimes a misconception that coyotes will not approach domestic animals or even humans but that is simply not true. If they are hungry and see something they think they can catch or take from your yard, they will.

So be safe!

Here’s a map of the intersection Teresa mentions. Meantime — we have written about West Seattle coyote sightings like these before, and our caveat is, don’t panic – we need to co-exist with these guys (as this excellent Humane Society page notes) – but do be forewarned, as Teresa writes, you need to keep your pets indoors. A good idea in any case, given there are even more serious threats (cars, for example).

13 Replies to "Coyotes spotted in west Gatewood"

  • Andrew November 11, 2007 (8:07 pm)

    We also heard them last night at 37th & Ida, just a couple of blocks from this spotting. Their communication sounds like a chattering growling, but not an angry growl like a dog makes. It was a pretty eerie sound.

  • willow November 11, 2007 (8:07 pm)

    Teresa, Unfortunately, where people live, rats live, and coyotes live, because they eat rats, and cats, and small dogs. That is what they do.

    It’s not what you may want, but, they do have to eat, also. Yes, keep your pets inside, or, say good bye to Fluffy.

    Cruel, but that’s life.

  • OP November 11, 2007 (8:54 pm)

    Nothing new here, really. My friend’s cat was some coyote’s snack a few months back up near the Delridge greenbelt.

  • OP November 11, 2007 (9:02 pm)

    P.S Do they eat moles? I have irritating mole problem. Any good ideas? Poison isn’t working.

  • I Heart Jiggers November 11, 2007 (9:06 pm)

    Where were they six months ago when I had to euthanize my cat at a cost of well over $250 for death and disposal. She could have died a ‘natural’ death and been an appropriate part of the food chain, go rest her weary old soul.

  • Cruiser November 12, 2007 (8:09 am)

    He he he::))

  • Shorewood November 12, 2007 (10:01 am)

    That is so great that the coyotes are living here in West Seattle. The neighborhood where I moved from refused to coexist with natural species. They trapped and killed them by the dozens. It was sad. Before you know it the children will have to look in a book so see what a squirrel looks like.

  • willow November 12, 2007 (2:32 pm)

    Jiggers, If you hadn’t had a GREAT attachment to your cat, you never would’ve spent it.

    YOU’VE been outdated, and I respect you for it.

  • Lauren November 13, 2007 (10:41 am)

    We’ve had two cats go missing from our block, very sad. I’m very happy our kitty is indoor-only, but feeling very bad for our poor neighbors. It’s too bad there isn’t more of an alert network, as I’m sure people would gladly keep pets indoors if only they knew….

  • grr November 13, 2007 (3:18 pm)

    If the Feral Cat people are so instant on turning captured cats back into the wild to live like a wild animal, getting eaten by a coyote is part of the deal. I sure appreciate what the feral cat people do, but I simply don’t agree that they should be turned loose to ‘roam free and wild’.

  • jimbob November 13, 2007 (5:10 pm)

    Do not leave food outside for them, and by food I mean your pets. Otherwise, you should expect them.

  • Vio November 14, 2007 (7:27 pm)

    Coyotes are not native, they are like rats – they moved in with urbanization. We used to have a beautiful native fox living in our Gatewood neighborhood until the coyotes moved in, and either killed or chased it away, a big loss. Foxes are the wildlife that we should encourage, they eat rats and moles while staying away from pets. The simple equation is where the coyotes roam, foxes don’t.

    For those that consider coyotes part of our natural environment, I suggest you study a little wildlife biology. Incidentally, there is a (black) bear living in West Seattle at a location that I have promised not to disclose.

  • Gigi November 15, 2007 (9:58 am)

    I saw a coyote Tuesday night (11.13.07) near 40th & Barton.

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