WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: 4 coyote reports

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Even after 15 years and hundreds of coyote-sighting reports, some people still express surprise that they’re here. So we keep sharing sightings.

ADMIRAL: This is the most recent one sent in – Ashley reported this sighting around 3:30 am today:

I wanted to get the word out that I just happened upon our local coyote in front of Taste of Mumbai on California. He was running down the street with a cat in his mouth. If anyone is missing a gray striped cat in the area, the coyote got it sadly.

SYLVAN RIDGE: Michael recorded this short video on Wednesday:

He said, “I had no idea they could just walk into blackberry bushes like that.”

NORTH HIGHLINE: From the other side of the city-limit line, Katie sent this on Tuesday:

I wanted to let you know that at least one coyote was in our yard in the North Highline Unincorporated Area, so presumably they’ve made the trek all the way south through West Seattle. I wish I had a photo of the actual coyote, but I wasn’t fast enough. They got one of our chickens yesterday, unseen. Today they came back for seconds and I hustled out thanks to the vigilance (and volume) of the neighborhood crows.

PIGEON POINT: Annette reports that a pack of coyotes seems to be active in Pigeon Point: “We have lost 9 cats over a very short period of time.” She says she witnessed one cat taken by a coyote early in the morning. She says neighbors have reported the pack near Pigeon Point Park and the golf course downhill. “I know nature lives side by side in West Seattle due to the lovely greenbelts we have scattered throughout the area, but the size of the pack seems to be growing beyond what the area and our neighborhood can handle.” She was planning on trying natural deterrent including wolf urine.

Our standard disclaimer: Coyote reports are published here for awareness, not alarm. Experts say the best way to keep them at bay is to not provide food – they will not just eat unattended small pets, but also pet food and unsecured food waste. (And they eat small wildlife, too.) To learn more about coexisting with coyotes, including what to do if you encounter one, here’s info from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

sam-c August 9, 2024 (7:10 pm)

I am curious about the ‘pack’ comment. Was a pack actually seen roaming around near the golf course, or is it assumed to be a pack based on the number of cats that have disappeared?

Golfer August 9, 2024 (10:44 pm)

I have seen a pack of 5-6 coyotes all together on the 8th hole of the west Seattle golf course.
- sam-c August 10, 2024 (2:07 pm)
  
  Wow! Interesting- thanks for clarifying.

Coyote Migration August 9, 2024 (8:45 pm)

I’m curious on how one knows that a coyote in Highline made the trek from West Seattle

Lala August 12, 2024 (10:48 am)

I don’t think that coyote is the same one from WS, I live near Westwood and I’ve seen two of roam separately at night. Was startled a couple weeks ago around 11pm to a cat screaming and growling sound so I’m going to assume it got to one of the strays in our neighborhood.

Rabbit Habit August 9, 2024 (8:53 pm)

Until the population of rabbits declines significantly, West Seattle seems plenty able to support a growing pack.

SRHNA Residents August 10, 2024 (9:14 am)

And based on the examples in the article, also unfortunately the population of outdoor cats.

Monica August 9, 2024 (9:20 pm)

Hi Ashley, do you know if the cat looked like this one? We have been missing her for a few days now and we’re very worried about her.

Ashley August 10, 2024 (1:42 pm)

I tried taking a picture to add to my email but the coyote was moving too fast. The cat in the coyote’s mouth did have stripes like that. It seemed like it was a pretty small cat.
- Monica August 10, 2024 (4:46 pm)
  
  Thank you for taking the time to report this and confirm it. We are heartbroken but appreciate knowing what happened to her. Thanks for your kindness
  - Karen B August 10, 2024 (10:25 pm)
    
    So sorry about the loss of your kitty, Monica. Thanks for
    your kindness, Ashley – and also to others here who have said kind things.
    
    I’m posting a comment for the broader audience here below.
WS Res August 10, 2024 (11:24 pm)

If the worst has happened, I’m very sorry for your loss.

Sad August 9, 2024 (10:34 pm)

When will people learn to keep their cats inside at night? Poor kitties.

Joan August 10, 2024 (8:17 am)

Cat owners!! It’s a no-brainer, keep your kitties indoors 100% of the time!!!!!!!!!

Jim August 10, 2024 (10:01 am)

Yep, that way they also don’t use your neighbors yard as a kitty litter

Jimmi Stone August 10, 2024 (9:32 am)

Leave it up the most invasive species in the history of the planet(humans) to criticize another species for being “invasive” lolololol stolen land

alkiannie August 10, 2024 (11:38 am)

I love having coyotes in the neighborhood and I hope that this will encourage cat owners to bring their cats indoors, use leashes, or build catios. In my 50 year lifetime, bird populations have declined by 1/3. Outdoor cats are a significant factor in the decline of bird populations. Studies have shown that cats are responsible for killing billions of birds annually. In the United States alone, it is estimated that outdoor cats kill between 1.3 to 4 billion birds each year. This makes them one of the leading human-related causes of bird mortality. I’m sorry to those who have experienced losses, though, as some folks love their cats and just don’t know any better.

End-O-Line August 10, 2024 (6:56 pm)

Agree 100%. Less than 150$(way less than a catio)to totally enclose my balcony. My boys, the birds and bugs are happy and safe. Best of all is the peace of mind. I’m sorry to those that have lost their feline family members. To me, it’s just not worth the chance that a coyote may or may not get them.

Karen B August 10, 2024 (10:30 pm)

As someone who looks after pups and kitties in my neighborhood and community, I especially hate to see people “pile on” or “scold” or “preach” their opinions when something sad has just occurred. Every kitty parent that I know personally understands the tradeoffs between what might be ideal for their pet (stimulation of their senses versus safety) and what their situation is in their household. Even with indoor-only pets, there are accidents or times when they manage some Houdini-move. There are times when children or contractors accidentally let pets out, someone knocks on the door and you open it, or… There are times when someone adopts or inherits a pet despite a crazy-busy work schedule or other obligations – maybe from a parent or someone moving away – and they try to give it a good home and a good life. What if that’s a kitty that’s lived its entire life as an outdoor cat? What if the person/people work long hours, but still opted to give a home to a kitty that didn’t have one before? Some (not all) of the indoor-only kitties I know are/seem unhappy, acting very angry or very needy, especially if they have little stimulation or companionship. Those living in pairs seem to do better, unless they don’t get along…and one kitty gets bullied and can’t get away. Boredom seems to be a deal-breaker for many of us humans – can you imagine yourself staying indoors (especially in the nice weather) and not exploring the world because it’s safer? Especially when you see the world outside your windows? What if your people are hanging out in the garden? I know kitty parents who wrestle with this, and try for a balance (getting them in at night with treats, providing high, safe places in yards, and fencing ). Hoping some of you might ponder this before passing judgement on someone who’s lost a pet here

SRHNA Resident August 11, 2024 (11:47 am)

The original post is a compilation of four coyote sightings, two of which highlight the risk to cats that are outdoors in areas where coyotes are present. As you rightly point out, people can make their own decisions regarding the degree of risk to which they wish to expose their pets.Commenters suggesting possible wise courses of action to reduce those risks are not “piling on”, “scolding”, preaching”, or “passing judgment on someone who lost a pet” because the original post is not about the experiences of an individual or individuals who have lost their cat(s). Someone sharing in the comments their concerns about the possible fate of their cat, does not make the post about them or any of the other comments not directly under that comment thread about them.

AJ August 13, 2024 (11:20 am)

Coyotes are not native to western WA. They are a nuisance/invasive species. They do not belong here. It is not “cool” to have people’s pets eaten alive by this vermin.

Sorry, comment time is over.