Marco Grapples with Increased Coyote Sightings

Coyotes roam Marco and Chokoloskee islands to the alarm of several residents. And the islands are not the only places where coyotes are seen quite frequently in Florida. Coyotes are regularly spotted throughout South Florida, with more recent sightings along the beaches than from inland, according to an online map updated by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 

“People often believe that coyotes come into developed areas only when they have nowhere else to go, but the reality is that they come into human inhabited areas when food is easy to access,” said Jessica Moore of FWC.

People have expressed concern for children, pets, livestock, and endangered species. 

Overall, coyotes, which are members of the dog family, are not a significant threat to humans, but they can attack livestock and pets, wildlife officials warn.

“Coyotes can and will take small pets when given an opportunity, so it is important to take some simple precautions to keep your pets safe,” said Moore.

This includes keeping dogs on short, non-retractable leashes and picking up small dogs if near a coyote.

Marco Island residents posted several sightings of coyotes on social media. With hundreds of comments, a few people suggested the coyotes need to be relocated and some described the coyotes as an invasive species that migrated to Florida from the western U.S.

However, wildlife officials have said the animals have long lived in Florida and it’s best to learn to coexist. 

Coyote-safe livestock enclosures and securing food sources, such as trash, are other ways to prevent unwanted coyote encounters.

“Pet safety is the biggest consideration for coexisting with coyotes,” said Moore. 

Pets should not be left outside unattended, even in a fenced-in yard, she advised. Cats should not be allowed to free-roam, Moore added.

Marco Island residents expressed concerns for the protected species of the island, including gopher tortoises, sea turtles, burrowing owls, and others. 

“A coyote is an opportunistic hunter and although they may prey on any of those species, diet studies in Florida have shown that that almost half of a coyote’s diet is plants and insects. Bird, reptiles, and their eggs only make up about 7 percent of the average coyote’s diet,” said Moore.

David Leaser, a photographer and artist of Marco Island, describes the coyotes as an invasive species threatening the endangered species of Marco.

“We now must place cages over our endangered turtle nests because they dig them up,” said Leaser.

“Coyotes have developed an appetite for their eggs and turtles,” he said.

Coyotes are not endangered or threatened in Florida or anywhere in their natural range, which now spans North America, wildlife officials report. 

“Coyotes began expanding their range into northwestern Florida in the 1970s and are now considered to be a naturalized species in all 67 Florida counties,” FWC officials report.

Coyote fossils have been found in Florida, including a fossilized skull estimated to be 2 million years old, FWC reports.

While it’s believed the coyote population thrived in Florida in the absence of the red wolf, according to a 2007 FWC report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also describes the red wolf as a mix of the grey wolf and coyote. There are fewer than 20 red wolves left in the wild, according to FWS estimates. Florida’s black wolf, a subspecies, went extinct in the early 1900s, making way for more coyotes, biologists say.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture occasionally removes coyotes. However, with threates to livestock and small endangered animals considered relatively low, the USDA has not often recommended eradication. The USDA has euthanized coyotes on other U.S. islands when they were believed to become overly accustomed to humans.

Coyotes, which mate for life, can be seen day or night. And while sightings may have recently increased in some areas, such as Marco Island and Chokoloskee, in the months to come, they’re even more likely to be heard, said animal biologists.

“This is an active time of year for coyotes. By late summer, this year’s litter of pups has reached almost adult size and will begin moving around independently, leading to a seasonal uptick in sightings,” said Moore. 

“As we head into late fall and early winter, we will enter the coyote breeding season. This is the time of year when coyotes are most vocal, and it’s not unusual to hear them howling, yipping, or calling at night,” she said.

Sue Law of Naples, who operates Lost Pet Finders of Collier County on Facebook, has reported several occurrences of mistaken identity between species of dogs, dog mixes, and coyotes over the years. Huskies are among one breed that looks similar.

“Teach children to recognize coyotes, and if approached, they should back away slowly and yell. Teach them not to run, as this might cause the animal to chase,” advised Moore.

Lynn McMillin of Chokoloskee recently saw coyotes in her yard on three occasions, including during the day and on her surveillance camera. 

But when it comes to predators attacking her family’s small animals, she is more concerned about the Burmese pythons in the area, she said. That’s another story.

“Hearing coyotes howling or yipping, sightings on surveillance cameras, and occasional encounters are expected almost everywhere in the state and are not cause for alarm,” said Moore.

Several Marco Island residents alerted officials with the Marco Island Police Department about their coyote concerns, said Police Chief Tracy Frazzano. So, the department began an information campaign, with the assistance of FWC, to help people know how to respond to a sighting or encounter. 

People can report coyote incidents or unusual coyote behavior to the FWC by calling their local regional FWC office or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

Learn more at MyFWC.com/Coyotes