Are coyotes getting too close in Cape Coral?
A photo captured last night in southeast Cape Coral shows a pair of coyotes appearing unusually comfortable near Archer Parkway and Country Club Boulevard. Despite the area’s busy streets, headlights and human activity, these wild canines seem unfazed by their surroundings.
Dom Thompson, who lives nearby, shared his unsettling experience of finding rabbit skulls in his yard, which he believes are the work of coyotes.
"I hear them at night, 10, 2 in the morning," said Thompson. "I mean, you definitely got to be worried about kids, you know, kids playing outside. They're getting closer. I mean, it's a little worrisome, but, you know."
Neighbors suspect that the uptick in coyote sightings could be linked to the area’s plentiful burrowing owls, which coyotes are known to eat. However, their presence has sparked fears about the safety of pets and children in the neighborhood.
"We had a friend who had a parrot, and a coyote got a hold of it and killed it," said Ron Lane, who has a pet bird himself and doesn't want him to be next. "Definitely something must be done."
Coyotes are a growing concern for many Cape Coral residents. NBC2 asked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if anything could be done to control their population.
Wildlife officers say trapping and removing coyotes can actually cause more chaos. According to the FWC, changes in territory can cause coyotes to reproduce faster, and removal methods have proven to be ineffective.
There are some things you can do to keep coyotes from lingering near your home!
The FWC says coyotes are often looking for food sources.
Wildlife officers say the best things to do are to secure trash cans, feed your pets indoors, clean your grills and sweep up fallen fruit or birdseed. The FWC says blocking off crawl spaces under porches or sheds can prevent coyotes from making your home theirs.
Coyotes have been spotted in all 67 Florida counties, according to the FWC, and they are not going anywhere anytime soon.