By Dawn Pearson
For the past year in Carmel, Wile E. Coyote isn’t only chasing the Road Runner, the coyote has been infiltrating neighborhoods becoming an urban menace.
But in our humane world we can’t drop giant anvils on them to eradicate the problem like in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
From 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 3, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and Hamilton County Parks are hosting an informational program regarding coyote biology and options for dealing with urban coyotes. This will be held at the Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St., Westfield.
Presenters will be Shawn Rossler, DNR furbearer biologist; Nate Yazel, DNR district wildlife biologist for Hamilton County; and Tim Julien, a licensed nuisance animal control operator.
Current has been covering coyotes encroaching neighborhoods and back yards threatening small pets this past year.
After last year’s harsh winter, much of the coyote’s habitat was disturbed.
Current has received letters from readers old and young, speaking their minds about trapping or letting the coyotes be. One woman said she believes she lost a dog to a coyote attack.
Regardless of the varying views, fears or concerns, Carmel leaders and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Hamilton County Parks will hold an informational program regarding coyote biology and options for dealing with urban coyotes.
According to the DNR’s website “coyotes are native to western Indiana and are now common in all counties in the state.”
DNR conservation education supervisor Warren Gartner said places like Carmel and Fishers have a lot of green space “that give cover for rabbits and provide habitat for coyotes as well.”
Coyotes are a native species once limited to the prairie regions of western Indiana. As forests were cleared for agriculture, coyotes expanded eastward and are now common in all Indiana counties, including urban and suburban areas.
“Places like Fishers and Carmel are growing communities with a lot of green space that gives cover for rabbits and other animals,” Gartner said. “That provides habitat for coyotes as well.”
Urban coyote conflicts are focused on attacks on pets, concern for safety, and fear of the unknown.
