Sanibel Island debates coyote removal to protect turtle nests

SANIBEL, Fla.—Coyotes on Sanibel Island have been causing trouble by digging into sea turtle nests and eating the eggs. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is familiar with this problem and has been trying various methods to stop it.

CEO James Evans said, "Depredation would be just simply an animal, you know, preying on another animal. In this particular situation, it's coyotes preying on sea turtles, whether they're eating the hatchlings or they're digging up the nests and eating the eggs."

Efforts to protect the nests have included using metal cages, noise deterrents, and even chili peppers, but the coyotes persist.

A new proposal, targeted lethal removal, is being considered to address the issue. This would involve removing only the coyotes responsible for attacking sea turtle nests.

Holly Smith, vice mayor of Sanibel Island, expressed concerns over the proposal.

"I found I left distressed that other alternatives, other conditions, besides, sometimes maybe yes isn't right. I think that's what we're going to be establishing here today," said Smith.

Council member John Henshaw also expressed hesitancy.

"I'm not comfortable with the fact that I know the coyotes are very adaptive," said Henshaw. "I'm on the fence, frankly, where we ought to fall on this issue. I would like to see more data."

Neighbors on the island have differing opinions as well. One neighbor noted the increase in sightings.

"I never saw a coyote on the beach. Now, I see them, especially when I'm fishing the Bowman's Beach area almost every day," they said. "Once coyotes learn that turtle nests are a reliable food source, that behavior escalates rapidly."

Another neighbor opposed lethal methods.

"It would be painful for me to go to the beach to do my morning prayers, knowing that living beings were shot and killed on those beaches," they said. "People like me don't want to come here to an island where you're killing other living beings."

The SCCF believes this issue needs to be addressed promptly to protect the sea turtle population on Sanibel Island.