Urban Coyotes Running Wild On North Shore This Winter

SALEM, MA — If you have spotted a coyote or two wandering out of the woods or nosing through the trash in recent weeks you are not alone along the North Shore.

While Swampscott and Marblehead traditionally have a coyote population that makes itself seen during the winter mating months, sightings are up across the region.

Salem police said coyotes sightings are on the rise in that city and that they have "had reports (of them) from almost every area of the city."

Salem police said that despite the increase in visible populations "coyote attacks on humans are exceedingly rare." Mass Audobon said there have been less than 10 documented human coyote attacks in the past 60 years.

"But they are wild animals and some precautions are prudent," police said.

Residents are reminded not to feed or ever try to pet a coyote, secure garbage so they are not drawn to residential buildings and secure small pets, which are susceptible to attack.

Anyone who encounters a coyote is advised to make noise as coyotes are generally easily spooked.

North Shore residents looking for more information on urban coyotes are invited to join Project Coyote Ranching Wildlife Coordinator Keli Hendricks for a virtual presentation Thursday at 9 p.m. here. Meeting ID: 860 5253 5048. (EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a time change from earlier publication.)

The presentation will explore common coyote myths, ways to keep you and your companion animals safe, what to do if you see a coyote, and laws that relate to coyotes and their treatment.

Presentation topics also include:
• Are coyotes dangerous?
• Are my outdoor cats safe?
• What do I do if I see coyotes while walking my dog?
• Are coyotes becoming overpopulated?
• I saw a coyote in the middle of the day. Is it sick?
• Why can’t we relocate urban coyotes to the "wild?"
• Coyotes are so loud! What’s all the yapping about?

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)