Photo of the coyote near Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center by David Torres.
This coyote really gets around!
After evading police on Wednesday, the Upper West Side coyote we dubbed Dr. Richard Kimball has been seen all over the neighborhood, stopping by Lincoln Center early Thursday morning (looking to chow down on some of the characters in Swan Lake?), scampering Riverside Park, and dodging camera crews on 79th street and Riverside Drive (or showing off for them). A dog-walker interviewed by CBS said the coyote crossed the street right in front of her and kept walking. It appears to be avoiding people, which is normal behavior (though coyotes can transmit rabies, so steer clear).
Expect more coyotes in the city in the future, said Sarah Aucoin, director of the city Parks Department’s Urban Park Rangers.
“Through our partnership with research scientists, we know we have breeding pairs in the Bronx. Once you have breeding pairs, it isn’t surprising to see young coyotes who are being kicked out by their parents and need to find their own territory.”
Police continue to look for the little guy, but without quite the volume of Wednesday morning. If you do see a coyote, here are some tips from the NYC Parks Department.
#Coyote spotted this morning at 81st Street and Riverside Park. #NYPD actively searching #UWS. @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/KIWjQnWqzj
— N. J. Burkett (@njburkett7) April 23, 2015
(hat-tip to Gothamist)
Re: “it isn’t surprising to see young coyotes who are being kicked out by their parents and need to find their own territory.”
Now, is that so very different from your typical untder-achieving/under-performing SUNY New-Paltz (a.k.a. SUNY No-Pulse) “graduate” whose parents finally get fed-up with his/her occupying his/her former bedroom rent-free and “suggest” s(he) go share a Manhattan apartment with his/her “buds”?
Of course, being much less social, El Coyote would probably have mucho trouble finding “roomies”.
Again, Wile E Coyote on the loose! Where is the Road Runner/ Beep, beep….
From the parks department link:
Coyotes eat what is prevalent and easy to find, shifting their diet to what is seasonally or locally available, including rodents, birds, vegetation, insects and carrion.
Sounds like we have a solution to the rodent problem!!
I am a former New Yorker who retired to Wyoming. I return to NYC for the “milder” winters. Now I have the best of both worlds right here – ethnic food and scampering coyote. A
Coyotes need a little culture too! And thanks for dining on our rats, while your at it!
For God’s sake, people. Just steer clear and leave the coyote alone! He’s exhibiting normal behavior and trying to avoid people. As a precaution, keep small children and dogs close. That’s all need be done. Coyotes were here first!
It’s nice to see the caring comments. I am worried about him/her getting hit by a car, he has more to be afraid of than we do.
On the note of helping wildlife, please support the Wild Bird Fund, NYC’s only wildlife rehabilitation center! Visit them on Columbus and 87th, you will be impressed!
There are plenty of rats on he streets for them to catch and eat. This is a big worry for the rates of NYC.