West Seattle Wildlife Watch: 2 coyote sightings

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Bruce for that photo of what neighbors apparently know as the “local” coyote, which showed up last night in their back yard “just above the ravine in the North Admiral area on the 2100 block of 41st Ave. SW.” (map) His note landed in the WSB inbox right on the heels of a Delridge sighting — Dorothy lives at the sprawling West Ridge Park complex (map) and says she saw a coyote Saturday morning and again this morning. She added, “I’m concerned because many residents here have pets and small children” and wondered where to “report” it. As we’ve discussed here before, aside from this type of report, which we publish as part of the general WSB community info-sharing, there’s really no place to “report” coyotes under normal circumstances – they’re considered just part of the landscape – and just one of many reasons not to let small animals (cats etc.) roam alone (certainly there are many other threats to them) … local wildlife experts have a lot of advice about peaceful coexistence (don’t feed them, etc.) and you can find much of it, with handy links, in this WSB report from earlier this year.

Eilene Hutchinson August 5, 2008 (11:28 am)

Great photo! It’s been interesting to follow so many sightings of these fellows.

BJ August 5, 2008 (4:49 pm)

Great picture. Just want to say we need to share the turf with them, Share it, and allow them. Its life and its real. Maybe think about it this way – “they have to share their world with us and we all know its not easy.” We must teach all that this is food chain stuff, we must respect wildlife that lives among us. Kids/adults need to know not to approach, leave no food out, keep the pets indoor… Be proactive, smart, and and also proud they are there.

BE August 5, 2008 (10:01 pm)

definitely keep pets indoors. our indoor cat escaped through a broken screen a couple of weeks ago and we found him dead in our neighbor’s lawn (we’re near Morgan Junction). our cat had been torn in two. in piecing the story together we heard that our neighbor’s dog scared the dogs or coyotes fighting over them. the animals are hungry and like any hungry beast they will try to get what’s available. keep your pets safe and don’t encourage them to visit.

JH August 6, 2008 (10:19 pm)

I live next to Schmitz Park, and had occasional coyote sightings in my yard last year. Last summer I probably heard them yipping every other night. This year I’ve only heard them a few times. I was beginning to worry that they had left the park! But then again, there are missing cat and dog posters in the neighborhood. I’m pretty sure I know what happened… I love the coyotes though (not because they’re eating animals of course). BE-sorry about your cat.

R. Reich September 22, 2008 (4:22 pm)

I do not live in West Seattle but I wanted to share my coyote story. I live on 25th Ave E. near the Arboretum. I knew you folks had coyotes this year, I thought ours had moved on. We had seen no signs, no scat like last year, and this is late in the season. To my horror in the early morning of 9/13/08 I woke up to find a pack of 3 coyotes killing my neighbor’s cat who had been asleep on our porch (30 feet above street level). He was like our cat as well and spent a lot of time with us. I chased the pack down the block screaming. They dropped poor Jack who soon died after moaning for a half hour. My husband and two neighbors had to keep the coyotes off him with a large walking stick as I woke up Jack’s owners. These brazen coyotes stayed around for two hours running up and down our street and into everyone’s yards. I don’t mind coyotes in the parks. I just don’t like the fact that they are visiting our house at night and others in daylight. At least one other cat was killed that same day. Many people are still not aware they are around. I am trying to get the word out. KiroTV did a story on us which aired last Saturday evening. I worry about my own cats and about all those like BE who have lost theirs.

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