Wildlife in Urban Environments: Coyotes
 

Periodically, Highland Park DPS receives notification of a coyote sighting in Highland Park. Coyotes have adapted to urban environments, and it’s not uncommon to see them in the area, particularly at night. 

Generally speaking, coyotes are skittish and naturally fearful of people, seeking ways to avoid contact with humans by using natural vegetation to conceal their movements. With January and February being the mating season for coyotes, they may display bold or territorial behavior. A technique to scare the coyote away is termed “hazing” (e.g., yelling, making noise, clapping hands), a way to coerce the coyote away from the area. HPDPS patrol officers use this hazing technique to scare a coyote away from a yard or other property. In Highland Park, should you encounter a coyote displaying bold or aggressive behavior, or if the coyote appears sick, contact HPDPS immediately: 9-1-1 in an emergency, or the non-emergency line is 214-521-5000. 

Here are some helpful tips to help reduce the chance of human-coyote or human-pet conflicts: 

• Anytime you see a coyote or observe a coyote on your property, make it a negative experience for the coyote by “hazing” (e.g., yelling, making noise, waving arms. Illuminate with a flashlight). Hazing is an effective way to coerce the coyote away and prevent the coyote from becoming too comfortable around people and in yards. Contact HPDPS if you need assistance with hazing a coyote off of your property in Highland Park.  
•  Those with smaller breeds of dogs may want to supervise their pet during bathroom breaks at nighttime. Keeping pets on a six-foot leash when out for a walk is recommended.    
• Those with indoor/outdoor cats should consider keeping their cats indoors during the overnight hours.   
• Avoid leaving pet food dishes and water dishes outside.  

For monitoring purposes, you may report a general sighting of a coyote on the Town's website.