Deer and Canada geese have made themselves at home in many parks and uban areas throughout the U.S. But what about coyotes? I’m Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by Dupont. Coyotes are becoming more and more common in places they never used to live before — including suburban backyards. And although the burgeoning populations of der and geese are viewed mostly a nuisance, coyotes are seen as a menace, particularly since they rae known to kill livestock in the West. But Matt Gompper of Columbia University says that coyotes are not a serious threat to humans.
“In the entire Eastern U.S., coyote populations are now extremely large in some regions, and I only know of three coyote attacks. I don’t know of any fatalities associated with those attacks and one of those attacks was on a child who was attempting to feed the animal.”
And what about the increase in suburban wildlife? Gompper says, in many cases, we are attracting these animals.
“I don’t think people should be surprised that we have increases in deer populations, increases in Canada goose populations, increases in coyote populations, squirrel populations. We have created, through a variety of mechanisms, ideal habitat for these species. Deer are thriving in the suburbs because there’s a lot of food in the suburbs and we have these huge lawns out there and big flower gardens, and we are raising deer food. If you don’t want these species here, then you don’t plant things that these species want.”
But he says it might be better to just relax and enjoy our new neighbors.
“Some people would say you have to reduce this wildlife population in the suburbs and my response would be Why?’. I think most people should look forward to the opportunity, as least on the East Coast, to see coyotes in the wild. I think most people should be excited if they do see something like this.”
Pulse of the Planet is presented by DuPont, bringing you the miracles of science, with additional support provided by the National Science Foundation. I’m Jim Metzner.
Coyotes - Suburban Wildlife
Deer, geese and even coyotes -- what's to be done about all this new "suburban wildlife"?
Air Date:07/31/2000
Scientist:
Transcript:
ambience: Coyote howl
Deer and Canada geese have made themselves at home in many parks and uban areas throughout the U.S. But what about coyotes? I'm Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by Dupont. Coyotes are becoming more and more common in places they never used to live before -- including suburban backyards. And although the burgeoning populations of der and geese are viewed mostly a nuisance, coyotes are seen as a menace, particularly since they rae known to kill livestock in the West. But Matt Gompper of Columbia University says that coyotes are not a serious threat to humans.
"In the entire Eastern U.S., coyote populations are now extremely large in some regions, and I only know of three coyote attacks. I don't know of any fatalities associated with those attacks and one of those attacks was on a child who was attempting to feed the animal."
And what about the increase in suburban wildlife? Gompper says, in many cases, we are attracting these animals.
"I don't think people should be surprised that we have increases in deer populations, increases in Canada goose populations, increases in coyote populations, squirrel populations. We have created, through a variety of mechanisms, ideal habitat for these species. Deer are thriving in the suburbs because there's a lot of food in the suburbs and we have these huge lawns out there and big flower gardens, and we are raising deer food. If you don't want these species here, then you don't plant things that these species want."
But he says it might be better to just relax and enjoy our new neighbors.
"Some people would say you have to reduce this wildlife population in the suburbs and my response would be Why?'. I think most people should look forward to the opportunity, as least on the East Coast, to see coyotes in the wild. I think most people should be excited if they do see something like this."
Pulse of the Planet is presented by DuPont, bringing you the miracles of science, with additional support provided by the National Science Foundation. I'm Jim Metzner.