The Department of Environmental Management is advising Rhode Islanders that with the beginning of spring, they are likely to see an increase in coyote sightings as adult coyotes enter the pup-rearing season and begin to search for food for their litters. DEM reminds residents to remove any potential food sources from their properties and not to feed coyotes or any wildlife.
Coyotes are keenly intelligent, extraordinarily adaptable, and willing to eat almost any available food – whether natural, including small animals, birds, insects, and fruits; scavenged roadkill; or easily obtainable human-provided sources such as garbage, pet food, birdseed, and compost. The key to minimizing interactions and conflicts with coyotes is reducing food sources available to them around our homes and neighborhoods. Coyotes that rely on natural food sources remain wild and wary of humans. Feeding coyotes – or any wild animal – however, makes them less fearful of people and they can become casual or even bold when encountering people.