PHOTO: Coyote in the Arboretum. (Courtesy Paul “Mooselips” Dudley)
Coyotes live in green spaces throughout Washington state, including in and around the Arboretum. They play a vital role in our ecosystem, including keeping rodent and small wildlife populations in check.
It is important for us to coexist safely with coyotes. We may see more coyotes in early summer while raising pups, or in the fall when young coyotes leave their parents. Coyotes become bolder when they become comfortable around humans and associate us with easy access to foods (e.g., human foods, garbage, bird and pet foods).
Recently there have been reports of coyotes exhibiting concerning behavior in the Arboretum, especially around dogs. We are asking all visitors to keep pets on a leash, use humane hazing if you see a coyote, and report coyote incidents. Humane hazing helps reinforce avoidance of humans and maintains healthy boundaries between humans and wildlife. This helps keep them and us safe.
If You See a Coyote
- Keep pets on short leash and next to you. Group together. Pick up children and small pets.
- Use humane hazing: Be large and loud. Shout “Go away!”, clap hands sharply, raise your arms or objects, make eye contact with the coyote, shine a flashlight at it, wave sticks or throw rocks near (but not at) the coyote, shake a jacket or plastic bag, pop open an umbrella at it. Do not haze a coyote that appears sick, injured, or has pups with it.
- Walk away calmly. Do not run at or away from a coyote. Back slowly out of the area.
- Never approach or feed a coyote.
Report Incidents
- Call 9-1-1 for emergencies or to report an immediate public safety issue.
- Report attacks on supervised pets to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2936 or wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/report.
- Report aggressive coyote incidents to staff at Graham Visitors Center main desk (206-543-8800 or uwbg@uw.edu).
- Report general coyote sightings on Carnivore Spotter.
Safety Measures to Coexist with Coyotes
- Keep pets leashed and supervised at all times. It’s the law.
- Keep pets away from coyotes and their droppings – they can spread germs that make people and pets sick.
- When walking pets – especially at dawn/dusk – consider staying in busier areas and bringing noisemakers (a whistle, an air horn, a “shaker” can full of rocks or coins), an umbrella, or a hiking pole to help with hazing.
- Place trash in secure containers, don’t feed birds or other wildlife.
- Keep children in supervised large groups; consider avoiding high coyote activity areas.
Thank you for supporting these efforts to maintain a safe environment for visitors and wildlife at the Washington Park Arboretum.
Haze Them to Save Them
As reported this week in The Seattle Times and other media outlets, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife trapped and killed a coyote in the Arboretum after it become too comfortable around people. Because of two close encounters with visitors, it became clear to city and state officials that the behavior of this coyote was “dangerous and would likely escalate.” According to Seattle Parks and Recreation, coyotes are treated as a normal part of our local urban wildlife, and this kind of intervention only happens in the city about once every two or three years. Capturing and relocating adult coyotes to habitat that is unknown to them—and likely occupied by other coyotes—is not a responsible option.
An Arboretum Coyote Task Force assembled by Seattle Parks, University of Washington, and other agencies is encouraging parkgoers who encounter coyotes to humanely “haze” them (see above) in order to set healthy boundaries between humans and wildlife. Wildlife officials use their best professional judgement to determine if a habituated animal will be responsive to hazing efforts or requires removal as a last resort option to keep park visitors, staff, and pets safe.
More Information
- Watch this video on Coexisting with Coyotes on the Seattle Channel.
- Read Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife information about Living with Coyotes in Washington state.
