When I was sixteen, I went on a hike with my family one warm summer evening when my dad suddenly halted and told us to step back slowly and grabbed a large stick to defend himself. Confused, I scanned the path ahead until my eyes locked on a creature that looked like a mix of a fox, a wolf, and a dog. It was then that I first laid eyes on a coyote, an encounter that would spark my fascination with these mysterious urban dwellers. 

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Like my dad’s initial reaction to the coyote, many people tend to look at these creatures and are terrified, comparing them to pests and intruders. It is easy to think that coyotes that scour around urban neighborhoods and cities do not belong there and should be evacuated. However, according to Live Science author and science journalist Patrick Pester, coyotes became urban by adapting to human alterations and expansions onto their original habitats. In simpler words, we humans invaded coyotes' habitats to further our agendas of creating pollution and making money.

 

When our homes and habitats are invaded, we fight back—we wage wars, raise our voices, and strive to reclaim our land. It's seen as a natural response for humans. Consider the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, a conflict centered on territorial claims, with both nations adamantly defending what they believe to be their rightful land. Now, let’s reverse the roles: when an animal’s home is invaded, they lose their territory and freedom, often ending up in captivity. If an animal defends its home, it is labeled dangerous and hunted down. Unable to speak our languages, animals have no way to express the injustice of losing their land and their lives. 

 

Focusing on urban coyotes, we must recognize that their land was taken away by human expansion. In California, coyotes are classified as “non-game animals,” equating them with pigeons and rats, which means we can kill as many coyotes as we want at any time, using any method except poison or leg-hold traps. This is not only hypocritical, given that humans are responsible for displacing coyotes from their natural habitats, but also unjust, as these animals are merely trying to survive in the conditions we've imposed upon them. According to scientific data, coyotes have been roaming on our Earth for over a million years, making them one of the planet's most enduring species. Our responsibility as humans is to ensure that coyotes can coexist

peacefully in urban areas, acknowledging the hardship we have caused them and working towards a more compassionate coexistence. 

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Coyotes are facing difficulties in urban areas when it comes to maintaining their health—both physical and mental—due to limited access to natural resources, pollution, urban living stressors, and lack of support from humans and laws. 

 

Before urban coyotes settled in our cities, their diets consisted mainly of cactus fruit, beans, flowers, insects, rodents, and small mammals. When coyotes stepped into the urban world, their insides became filled with garbage—literally. Researcher Scott Sudgen performed a study in which he sliced open the stomach of an urban coyote. The contents he found inside the stomach were alarming: food scraps from compost bins, tin foil, and even a leather glove. This revelation paints a painful picture of the desperate measures coyotes take to survive in environments where natural resources are scarce and human presence is everywhere. Sudgen further explains that due to this shift in diets, urban coyotes are now heavily reliant on human food since it is so accessible, unaware of all the health risks it poses for them.

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The surge in trash infiltrating coyotes' diets is an undeniable consequence of human negligence. Beyond the unconscionable abundance of food left in easily accessible garbage cans, the pervasive act of littering exacerbates the issue. According to Opdenaker Trash & Recycling Services, the average person generates approximately four pounds of trash daily and a staggering 1.5 tons of solid waste annually. This overconsumption, coupled with the rampant overuse and overproduction of plastics, underscores a systemic failure in waste management. The distressing reality of objects found in coyotes' stomachs, unfit for any living organism, is a direct consequence of human indifference. We must demand greater accountability and action to address this environmental crisis.​

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Another Problem: Conflict with Humans

Building off the idea of humans being a direct cause of the trash-filled coyotes, humans also pose threats to coyotes, causing them to defend themselves and only come out at night. According to a journal published through the National Library of Medicine Titled "Urban Human–Coyote Conflicts: Assessing Friendliness as an Indicator of Coexistence," rural coyotes are active during both the day and night while urban coyotes are mostly active in the night, dramatically decreasing their daytime activity to avoid humans. This shift not only highlights the impact of human presence on coyote behavior but also underscores the broader implications of human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas. As these animals adapt to the urban landscape, they face an increased risk of negative interactions with humans, further compounding the challenges they encounter in their quest for survival. The findings from this journal emphasize the need for more effective strategies to advocate coexistence between humans and coyotes, ensuring that these resilient creatures can thrive without compromising their well-being. 

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Additionally, our job as invasive humans is to understand the nature of why urban coyotes seem to be so aggressive and defensive. According to the Urban Coyote Research Project, after conducting thorough research it was found that urban coyote attacks generally fell into five categories: defensive (4%), rabid (7%), pet-related (6%), investigative (22%), predatory (37%), and the remaining 24% unclassified. 

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Defensive attacks occur when the coyote feels threatened and feels like it needs to defend itself or its territory. Rabid attacks occur when coyotes are captured and diagnosed with rabies. Pet-related attacks occur when coyotes attack people walking their pets, defending their pets, or just encountering a pet. Investigative attacks occur when coyotes test a person as a possible prey source. Predatory attacks occur when coyotes aggressively pursue their victims, most often biting them. 

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By understanding the underlying reasons for coyote attacks—whether defensive, rabid, pet-related, investigative, or predatory—humans can take proactive measures to prevent conflicts. This involves educating the public, managing waste responsibly, supervising pets, and respecting coyote habitats. Such efforts will enhance human safety and promote a more harmonious coexistence with urban coyotes. 

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Global Solution: Reducing Litter

Several effective solutions can be implemented to address the health of coyotes and their conflicts with humans in urban areas. Given that urban environments are directly shaped by human activities, we have the power to promote coyote health by reducing litter, waste, and pollution. As mentioned earlier, coyotes have been found with alarming objects in their stomachs. Reducing litter will not only benefit coyotes but also various other animal species affected by human waste. According to an article from Smithsonian Magazine, human trash appears in approximately 22% of urban coyote feces. This statistic highlights the significant impact of our waste on wildlife. By actively reducing litter and properly managing waste, we can mitigate the risks posed to urban coyotes and other animals. Public awareness campaigns, stricter waste management policies, and community clean-up initiatives can make a substantial difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are several programs through the government, states, and communities that work to reduce litter. One example is the EPA's Trash Free Waters program. The EPA works directly with states and businesses to reduce litter and prevent trash from entering anywhere it does not belong. This program focuses on both prevention and removal efforts, partnering with local governments, non-profits, and private sector stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and educational campaigns. Additionally, many states have implemented "Adopt-a-Highway" programs, where community groups and businesses commit to regularly cleaning up specific sections of roadways, significantly reducing roadside litter. Local municipalities also engage in community clean-up days, where residents are encouraged to participate in neighborhood beautification efforts, further fostering a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy environments. These collective efforts are crucial in mitigating the impact of litter on urban wildlife, including coyotes, and help to create a more sustainable and pleasant living environment for all inhabitants.

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As caretakers of the environment, it's our responsibility to create a healthier, safer ecosystem for all inhabitants. This is the best first step toward a solution because it addresses one of the most direct and controllable factors affecting urban wildlife health. As caretakers of the environment, it's our responsibility to create a healthier, safer ecosystem for all inhabitants. By taking these steps, we can foster a more harmonious coexistence with urban wildlife and contribute to the overall well-being of our shared environment.

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Addressing Counterarguments

An opposing viewpoint to advocating for the coexistence of urban coyotes and humans in cities could stem from concerns regarding public safety. Some detractors may contend that emphasizing fostering harmonious relations between coyotes and humans in urban settings could present significant dangers to human communities, particularly in densely populated regions where encounters between humans and wildlife are more commonplace. They may cite instances of aggressive coyote behavior, including attacks on pets or even humans, as evidence that promoting coexistence may not always be practical or safe.

 

For example, according to an article by The Guardian, after a series of vicious coyote attacks in 2018 cities were pondering living with coyotes, thinking they were too dangerous. While acknowledging instances of coyote attacks reported by The Guardian in 2018, it's essential to contextualize these events within a broader perspective. Such attacks, though alarming, are relatively infrequent compared to the overall population of urban coyotes and the frequency of human-coyote interactions. Understanding that aggressive behavior in coyotes often stems from specific circumstances, like feeling threatened or defending territory, underscores the importance of education and outreach efforts. Rather than resorting to drastic measures like culling or relocation, promoting public awareness, responsible pet management, and community engagement can foster safer and more harmonious coexistence between humans and urban coyotes.

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Additionally, critics might assert that urban landscapes are inherently ill-suited for wildlife like coyotes, given the pervasive presence of human activities and infrastructure that can disrupt natural habitats and pose potential risks to both human and animal populations. Consequently, they may advocate for implementing measures to control or manage coyote populations in urban areas, such as culling or relocation initiatives, to prioritize human safety and mitigate the potential for conflicts.

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Individualized Solution: Urban Coyote Research Project & The Power of Social Media

While conducting my research, I came across an informative blog-style page called the Urban Coyote Research Project. This website offers valuable insights into the lives of urban coyotes, including how to avoid conflicts and details on urban coyote ecology and behavior. The goal of the project is to promote coexistence between humans and coyotes in urban settings. The project is supported by a dedicated team of 12 researchers, including the renowned Stanley D. Gehrt, whose contributions have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of urban coyotes. The site provides a wealth of information, from the natural history and behavior of coyotes to practical advice on how residents can minimize interactions and manage encounters. By sharing their findings, the Urban Coyote Research Project plays a crucial role in educating the public and fostering a harmonious relationship between urban communities and these adaptable canines.

 

During my time researching, I also posted regularly on Twitter. This engagement not only helped me gain quite a few followers and likes on my posts but also highlighted the power of social media as an advocacy tool. Sharing my findings and insights on Twitter allowed me to reach a broader audience, sparking conversations and raising awareness about urban coyotes. I learned that social media can significantly amplify a message, engaging people who might not have otherwise been exposed to the information. This experience underscored the importance of leveraging digital platforms to advocate for causes, disseminate knowledge, and foster a community of informed and concerned individuals. By utilizing social media effectively, we can drive meaningful change and promote coexistence between urban wildlife and human populations.

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Creating this social media campaign significantly enhanced my research, analysis, and writing skills. More importantly, it deepened my passion and awareness of the issues I was writing about. I realized that I was unknowingly contributing to the harmful effects humans have on urban coyotes. This campaign opened my eyes to the broader impact of human activities on wildlife and highlighted the importance of informed and responsible behavior. Engaging with the topic on such a personal level made me more committed to advocating for coexistence and implementing changes that benefit both humans and coyotes. This experience has been invaluable in shaping my perspective and driving my dedication to environmental stewardship.

 

A lot of news and media nowadays travels through social media. If people work together to promote coexistence with urban coyotes, we can harness these platforms to spread awareness, share practical tips, and foster a sense of community responsibility. By utilizing social media for education and advocacy, we can reach a wide audience quickly and effectively, encouraging more individuals to take action. Collective efforts can lead to more informed and compassionate urban communities, where both humans and coyotes can thrive together. This approach not only benefits the coyotes but also enhances our urban environments, making them safer and more harmonious for all inhabitants.

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Overall, by adopting proactive measures, fostering public awareness, and promoting responsible coexistence strategies, we can pave the way for a future where humans and urban coyotes thrive together in harmony, ensuring the preservation of both wildlife and community well-being.

 

Works Cited

 

Chung, Emily. “Urban Coyotes Are Literally Full of Garbage - and That’s Risky for Humans, Study Suggests | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 10 Mar. 2021, www.cbc.ca/news/science/coyote-diet-1.5942641.

 

Guerin, Emily. “Why California Officials Are Killing Coyote, after Coyote, after Coyote.” LAist, 16 Mar. 2018, laist.com/news/kpcc-archive/what-happens-when-a-coyote-bites-a-person. 

 

Magazine, Smithsonian. “Urban Coyotes Eat a Lot of Garbage-and Cats.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 23 Mar. 2020, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/urban-coyotes-eat-lot-garbageand-cats-180974461/.

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Pester, Patrick. “How Did Coyotes Become Regular City Slickers?” LiveScience, Purch, 21 Mar. 2021, www.livescience.com/why-coyotes-in-cities.html.

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Texas Parks & Wildlife. “Non-Game Animals.” Non-Game Animals - Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 14 Jan. 2022, tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education/online-course/wildlife-conservation/non-game-animals. 

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The Guardian Editors. “‘Dawn of a New Creature’: After a Vicious Attack, a City Ponders Living with Coyotes.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 23 May 2022, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/23/urban-coyotes-us-suburbs-dallas.

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Urban Coyote Research Project. “Coyote Attacks!?” Urban Coyote Research Project, urbancoyoteresearch.com/. Accessed 3 June 2024.

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Whitley, Cameron T et al. “Urban Human-Coyote Conflicts: Assessing Friendliness as an Indicator of Coexistence.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 13,18 2903. 13 Sep. 2023, doi:10.3390/ani13182903