Video captures coyotes yelping in Holly Springs neighborhood

A Holly Springs neighborhood is on alert after a neighbor recorded a video of howling coyotes.

Posted 4:40 p.m. Jan 12 — Updated 9:04 p.m. Jan 12

Shelle Jackson

, WRAL reporter

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — A Holly Springs neighborhood is on alert after a neighbor recorded a video of yelping coyotes.

Another video from a home security camera captured two coyotes, who appear to have mange, in the nearby Sunset Ridge South neighborhood.

Residents living in the area told WRAL News they have never seen or heard so many coyotes. Some people have lived in the area close to 20 years.

"It's gotten louder and louder," said Anne Bono. "You can hear more and more coyotes coming together. It's pretty intense."

The woman who recorded the video of yelping coyotes told WRAL News the animals woke her up three times Thursday night.

"Even us humans just walking our dogs ... it's kind of frightening because you hear it a lot," said another neighbor, Alie McDowell.

McDowell is worried about her small, 13-pound rescue dog, Lady.

"We actually have an invisible fence and we no longer feel comfortable keeping her outside without us being there," McDowell said. "We've only been able to walk her outside on a leash."

Experts say coyote sightings are becoming more common in Wake County, and WRAL News reported numerous coyote sightings in 2023.

In March, two coyotes were spotted in the front yard of an Apex home. Just last month, a woman in Raleigh's busy Five Points neighborhood told WRAL News her cat was killed by a coyote.

According to Holly Springs Animal Control, it's normal to witness coyotes in Holly Springs.

Animal Control officers urge people to leave healthy coyotes alone, explaining a response is only needed if the animal appears sick, injured or aggressive.

Raleigh neighborhood on edge after coyote sightings, beloved pet found dead

The latest video sent to WRAL News was recorded in a Holly Springs neighborhood on Linksland Drive close to Sunset Walk Lane. You can't see coyotes in the video, but you can hear them -- loud and clear.

In December, Wake County Animal Services Director Dr. Jennifer Federico said the increase in coyotes is due to business growth in the Triangle. As developments spread out, coyote sightings are likely to increase.

'They have been here all along': Coyote sightings more likely in the Triangle

Officials from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission told WRAL News coyotes are mostly harmless. Coyotes are also very skittish animals, wildlife experts say, and it's rare for a coyote to attack a human.

Coyotes will attack small dogs and cats, so neighbors concerned about coyotes in their area should keep small pets inside or supervised.

January through June is mating and birth season for coyotes, and wildlife officials said coyotes are more likely to confront larger dogs during this time.

In December, Five Points neighbors saw coyotes making late night strolls through their neighborhood.

More coyote sightings possible in May, NC Wildlife Resources Commission says

“I’ve been hearing [them] more and more," said Morgie Duke. "People are seeing them they are hearing them all over the neighborhood.”

Duke said her cat went for a walk in November and was later found dead.

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.”

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