The meeting featured a presentation by Rhonda Lour from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, who addressed the complexities of managing urban coyote populations. Lour emphasized that eradication attempts, such as shooting or trapping, have historically proven ineffective due to coyotes’ rapid repopulation capabilities. Coyotes are known for their adaptability, quickly filling vacated territories, which complicates removal efforts. Instead, Lour recommended education and coexistence as the best strategies for reducing conflicts between humans and coyotes.

Lour’s presentation detailed coyote biology, including their weight range of 25 to 40 pounds, mating habits, and diet in urban areas. She explained that coyotes are primarily scavengers, often consuming human food waste like dog food and cooked chicken. This reliance on anthropogenic food sources underscores the need for proper waste management and discouraging feeding practices that attract wildlife.

Public concerns about coyote-related diseases were also addressed. Lour provided data indicating that rabies cases among coyotes in Florida are minimal, with only three confirmed cases in two decades. She highlighted that other animals, such as bats and raccoons, pose a higher rabies risk. Mange, a parasitic condition affecting coyotes, was discussed as well, with Lour noting that while it spreads through direct contact, the risk to domestic pets remains low.

Pet safety emerged as a concern among residents. Coyotes are known to target smaller animals, particularly cats, and incidents often occur when pets are left unattended or off-leash. Coyotes can jump fences, so additional deterrents may be necessary.

The feasibility of coyote eradication was a major topic of discussion. Historical attempts, including shooting from helicopters and offering bounties, have not succeeded due to the coyotes’ territorial nature and reproductive dynamics. Lour explained that coyotes are intelligent animals, often evading traps and quickly repopulating areas where others have been removed.

The meeting also explored the relationship between food sources and coyote behavior. Feral cat feeding stations were identified as potential attractants for coyotes, providing consistent food supplies that increase coyote sightings and interactions with humans. The committee presented a map showing known feeding stations in Pinellas County, correlating them with high call volumes regarding coyote sightings. The recommendation was to avoid feeding feral cats to deter coyote populations from urban areas.

Participants discussed various deterrents for coyotes, including “hazing” techniques. These involve making coyotes uncomfortable through loud noises or other methods to encourage them to leave an area. One example shared involved staff successfully hazing coyotes from a golf course using such techniques. However, it was cautioned that feeding coyotes is illegal in Florida and can lead to problematic behavior, emphasizing the importance of not providing food to these animals.

Questions from the audience highlighted community interest in effective coyote management strategies. The legality and consequences of feeding coyotes or using poison were clarified. Additionally, the possibility of taming coyote pups was discussed, though deemed impractical and illegal.

Further inquiries addressed coyote life cycles and territorial behaviors. It was explained that coyote pups typically leave their parents around fall, though some may remain to assist in raising new litters. Coyotes are known to travel significant distances in search of new habitats.

The discussion also touched on the presence of other wildlife, such as bobcats, and their interactions with humans. The importance of public education in understanding wildlife behavior was emphasized, with participants advocating for better awareness of what constitutes acceptable and concerning coyote behavior in urban settings.