Coyote Sighted At Elementary School In Clarkstown

CLARKSTOWN, NY — A coyote was seen at Lakeview Elementary School. Here are tips from the Clarkstown police about living with coyotes.

Do’s and Don’ts in Coyote Country:
1. DO chase them away and make noise (bang pots and pans) if you don’t want them in your yard. Of course, if you don’t mind them then watch them from a window quietly as to not scare them away.
2. DO make noise when you are outside especially if coyotes are often in your area
3. DO NOT feed coyotes or other animals. Even if you are feeding birds (e.g., suet) or other animals (like raccoons) coyotes will be attracted to your yard just like any other animal looking for an easy handout.
4. DO NOT feed your pets outside for the same reason as #3.
5. Just as importantly, DO NOT let your neighbors feed wildlife. Coyotes travel tremendous distances and a coyote regularly coming to your neighbor’s yard for a free handout will surely pass through your yard to get there. A habituated coyotes is a potential problem coyote.
6. Absolutely DO NOT let your cat outside if you are truly concerned with its health. Coyotes are just one of many mortality factors for outdoor cats.
7. DO leash your dogs. Although coyotes may follow a leashed dog out of curiosity (to the concern of the person), it is extremely rare for them to actually get within contact of your pet.
8. DO try to minimize your conflicts with these creatures by following these simple precautions.

Eastern coyotes look similar to German shepherd dogs, at half the weight, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Eastern coyotes are relatively new to the Hudson Valley. Researchers think they extended their range from north central North America throughout the continent in response to human changes to the land and that they reached New York in the early 1930s and 1940s.

They are a hybrid of coyote, wolf and dog — and the genetic make-up changes from region to region. Scientists disagree about whether to call the hybrid "coywolf" or "eastern coyote." They do agree that the animals are still evolving.

According to the DEC, a recent study conducted by researchers at Cornell University studied eastern coyote behavior and ecology in the suburbs. Coyotes may be seen in the daytime but are more active after sunset and at night. Despite close proximity to people, coyotes seldom consume human sources of food such as bird seed, garbage, and outdoor pets.

Researchers found suburban New Yorkers were relatively well aware of coyotes around them. While many observed coyotes occasionally near their homes, few people (4 percent) actually reported having a problem with a coyote, and an even smaller proportion of people indicated a coyote approached, threatened or attacked a pet or person, the DEC said.

SEE ALSO:

• Coyote Sighting In Congers
• Coyote That Bit Child Sunday Was Rabid

Image/ Paul Tessier via Shutterstock

Editor's Note: The name of the school was incorrect in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error.