'They have been here all along': Coyote sightings more likely in the Triangle
People living in Raleigh are used to seeing the occasional deer along roads and in their yards. Wildlife experts say people now need to get used to seeing coyotes.
On Tuesday, WRAL News reported on coyotes appearing in Raleigh's Five Points neighborhood, but more reports are coming from other communities.
WRAL News spoke to Wake County Animal Services Director Dr. Jennifer Federico, who said the increase in coyotes was because of business growth in the Triangle.
Federico suggested that residents should learn to live with the coyotes. Some of her tips included not leaving food around homes and bringing small pets inside.
“They have been here all along,” she said. “We, as humans, are the ones that are destroying where they live because we are building so much. If they’re not bothering us, just seeing them is not a threat to us.”
According to researchers at North Carolina State University, coyotes tend to be nocturnal, but may be active early morning and during sunset.
Knowing this, residents have called Animal Control – but were told unless the coyote is hurt or on their property, there is not much they can do.
WRAL News did reach out to Animal Control to know more about how officers respond to coyotes calls.
Animal Control said they can remove a coyote if it has rabies or residents can file a permit to remove them if they are destroying private property.
But the burden of proof, however, can be difficult.
WRAL News also asked the Raleigh Police Department to provide numbers on possible coyote attacks in this area.
