In addition to a recent sighting in Central Park, coyotes have also been spotted roaming the streets of Manhattan, in front of Columbia University in particular. Three of the animals were reportedly seen on campus according to the Columbia Spectator and responding NYPD units confirmed the existence of at least one of the dog-like beasts.
While city residents aren’t accustomed to seeing coyotes, Wikipedia says the canines “readily reproduce in metropolitan areas.” So maybe they’re just looking for love?
Photo: Veryl Witmer via City Room
I think these kinds of articles are very funny. OMG! Nature invades urbania! Lock the doors! Note that L.A. has a bunch of coyotes, too (and not just the ones in suits at agencies).
There are a number of "greenways" that have been constructed in Westchester County whose trails and narrow forests effectively link New York City with large state parks that are only 30 to 60 miles north. I remember when one such north-south trail was built in Yonkers. Some citizens were up in arms about how it would provide an easily traveled corridor for undesirables, though they were thinking of the human kind.
If the coyotes stick around, they will become human-habituated and food-conditioned, and they will likely eventually attack small dogs and maybe even small children. (Their natural predatory instincts cause them to chase small creatures that run from them. Unfortunately, that is resulting in a growing number of attacks on children in the U.S.)
Sadly, these animals' fate is sealed. Unless maybe PETA can get some models to go naked for their cause.