In an effort to minimize the anxiety related to coyote sightings this upcoming spring season, DuPage County is continuing its efforts to educate the public regarding the area’s coyote population and their nature, habits and behavior.
As predators who survive by eating small rodents, coyotes are viewed as valuable members of the environment. They do, however, occasionally kill livestock, poultry and domestic pets. As such, residents should take precautions and alert authorities when coyotes are sighted close to residential areas.
To that end, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is providing detailed tips on how to avoid coyote encounters on its website. There, residents can review information about what to do around homes to protect family and pets as well as manage an encounter with a coyote.
The district also has a working relationship with Scientific Wildlife Management, a corporation dedicated to resolving conflicts between humans and wildlife via education and hands-on solutions. Scientific Wildlife Management provides an online coyote sighting form.
Using the form, the company can collect data in real time that allows them to project trends in the migration -- and other activities -- of coyotes in the area. This information helps local government officials and wildlife specialists make educated decisions to provide preventative solutions and resolve issues as they occur.
The online coyote sighting form is on Scientific Wildlife Management's website.
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