The Expediency Of Nahant's Solution To Coyotes

Members of the Select Board in Nahant, MA, voted on December 7, 2022, to have the dubious distinction as the first municipality in the state of Massachusetts to pay federal agents of the USDA Wildlife Services to shoot an entire population of coyotes inhabiting the area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaP6BiMCfWE&t=1608s.

(Also on Patch: North Shore Town Goes On Offensive Against Aggressive Coyotes)

The Humane Society of the United States refers to the USDA Wildlife Services as Wildlife Disservice. USDA Wildlife Services has been exposed for its brutal killing of over 1.75 million wild animals in 2021. And, did Nahant officials also miss Harper’s Magazine report on “The Rogue Agency”?

Unable to differentiate between a “habituated” coyote and those who have retained their natural fear of humans, Selectman Joshua Antrim stated that “the assumption will have to be that they are all problem animals.” How this will affect behavior among temporarily remaining pack members is unknown, though coyote experts warn it could be counterproductive.

David Wattles of Massachusetts Wildlife and Fisheries, despite assisting Nahant, made it plain at the meeting that any reported aggressive behavior by coyotes in any municipality cited by Town Administrator, Tony Barletta, “can be directly attribute[d] to intentional feeding by the public.” He also explained that killing the coyotes will not prevent new coyotes from “crossing the causeway” into Nahant.

The town’s authorities, claiming the animals are a public safety hazard, have spent months arranging for what Antrim called “this execution by professional sharpshooters,” who will use silencers so as not to “disturb” residents with the sounds of lethal discharge from their rifles. Too bad such time and effort was not devoted to a more serious plan at preventing the problem. Just as disturbing as the upcoming hunt is the town’s aim to persuade state legislators to reconsider the current Massachusetts law that bans the use of painful and potentially maiming leg traps that harm a myriad of unintended victims.

Wildlife professionals are offering free services to resolve Nahant’s issue by providing: intensive aversion and hazing techniques; a response plan to be taught to local officials to ensure a safe and healthy coexistence between coyotes and humans; help creating a bylaw that prohibits feeding of certain wildlife; and public education well beyond the little that the town’s authorities have so far recommended or instituted. Inaction has contributed to the coyotes’ increased tolerance of humans, and leaving residents to fend for themselves has caused confusion and insecurity.

The Town of Nahant, which has waged a united and brave years-long fight to preserve wildlife habitat and open space from expansion by Northeastern University, should know better. Considering such context, Nahant’s plan to annihilate coyotes is unfathomable. Without them, an entire ecosystem will be disrupted, possibly forecasting a population explosion of rodents, a popular prey for coyotes.

“Killing coyotes is not the answer,” says Rebecca Dmytryk, who is affiliated with Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. “These animals need to be worked with by professionals to re-establish safe and respectful boundaries. No bloodshed is necessary. We’re one of at least two organizations that will give this type of assistance to Nahant’s town administrator and selectmen, and I am hoping they accept the help.” She and her team have offered to spend at least one week in Nahant to address the coyotes’ behavior.

The Town of Nahant should halt its scheme to indiscriminately kill an entire population, and instead, accept expert, on-the-ground help to alleviate a difficult situation and learn how to live in peace with coyotes.

Please add your name to the petition at https://chng.it/MPk8S2d9vX to stop the killing.