Coyotes Confront Hikers in Lyme Preserve: Lyme Conservation Trust

Lyme Land Conservation Trust is alerting hikers and dog walkers after two people with a dog were confronted by a pair of coyotes on the Red Trail near the vernal pool on the Eno Preserve.

In a Facebook post on the situation, the Trust wrote:

“This is the season when eastern coyotes, which are called ’coywolves’ because they are part coyote and part wolf, have new pups in their dens, and they view approaching dogs as potential threats to their young. In such situations, eastern coyotes (which are normally shy and avoid humans) can be very aggressive.

If you hike in the woods, it is best to keep dogs on a leash. If confronted by coyotes, back slowly away, making noise and waving your arms.

Many hikers carry pepper spray to use against coyotes, but never try to charge or engage with an aggressive coywolf. Use the pepper spray only as a last resort if the coywolf attacks or gets too close.”

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