Darren JulianUrban Wildlife SpecialistOfficer Lainie AntolikWildlife Manager AZ Game & Fish Department Region VI(480)981-9400www.AZGFD.govSun CitySeptember 18, 2014

Living with Arizonas WildlifeOverview of Common Urban Wildlife with emphasis on CoyotesNeeds of WildlifeWhy they are in your neighborhoodHuman-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Eliminating attractantsChanging Human BehaviorCooperative Effort and Taking Responsibility

Wildlife in the CityDevelopment temporarily displaces neighboring populationsEmigration

The oasis we have created for ourselves suits them tooImmigration

Life is easier in your neighborhood than in the desertHigher concentrations of some species in urban areas

Wildlife AttractantsHabitat = Food, Water, Cover or Shelter, Space and Arrangement of these componentsGolf courses provide most of these on their own

Water sources, pools, bird baths etc.

Pet food and small pets that are left unsupervised

Low brush for hiding cover near a hunting area

Bird feeders and bird seed

ACCESS to these areas without harassment key component

Common Urban WildlifeCoyotesJavelinaBobcatsFoxesSkunksRaccoonsMountain lions

RabbitsQuailRodentsDeerBirdsHawks & FalconsOwls

Urban CoyotesToday, the focus is on urban coyotes, but a lot of the information and messages can be applied to other urban wildlife.For more information visit www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife

Urban CoyotesCoyote Jay WalkingCoyote Looking for a parking spotThis construction traffic is a nightmare!

Basic Coyote BiologyCoyote Vital StatisticsWeight: 15-30 lbs. Length with tail: 40-50" Shoulder Height: 15-20" Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years Mating Season: Jan-March Gestation Period: 58-65 days No. of Young: 2-12, 6 avg. Birth Interval: 1 year Lifespan: 7-10 years (in the wild)

Typical diet: Small mammals and birds (80%), insects, reptiles, fruit, carrion, garbage, bird seed, pet food and small petsWhen coyotes are trapped and removed from an area, it causes a breakdown in the animal's social structure and can cause more coyotes to breed and their territory to expand

Basic Coyote BiologyCurious Coyote FactsOnly 5-20% of coyote pups survive their first yearCoyotes can run at almost 40 mph and jump over a 8' fenceCoyotes can breed with domestic dogs Coyotes are naturally afraid of humans - more afraid of you than vice-versa

Other Coyote FactsHighly adaptable & opportunistic predatory animal

Intelligent animal easily trained (conditioning)

Naturally fearful of Humans

Fear lost in stages over timeRemoved by proximity indifference Tolerance Feeding (active or inadvertent)

Not naturally aggressive toward larger opponents

Why Do Coyotes seem to be increasing in number?

Abundance of prey species and abundance of other food sources

Acceptance of their presence encourages closer contactWithout discouragement, coyotes begin to include back yards, porches and other areas as part of their home rangeSame number of coyotes seen more often

Sun City, Arizona

Presence of Coyote PacksCoyotes are a highly social animalPacks are made up of non-breeding offspring from this year and last yearThis social structure is for defense of food and territoryPack formation and size is determined by the available food sources; more food means less competition and less likelihood of dispersal

Problems associated with Urban CoyotesDisease concerns

Mange

Distemper

Other common canine diseases

Vaccinated pets are not at risk

Problems associated with Urban CoyotesCat ConcernsSmall Dog Concerns

SolutionsKeeping Cats Safe

SolutionsDisguise our pets?

SolutionsBigger Cats?

Cats and Small Dogs SafetyNo substitution for supervision

The more time pets are left unattended, the higher the likelihood that a predator will take advantage of these opportunities

Walking Your DogKeep dogs on a leashBe aware of your surroundingsBuddy system, walk in groups, assist othersCarry a walking stickIf you encounter a coyote:Do not runPick up small dogs, keep big dogs closeBe aggressive, use aggressive postures and movements, use low, loud tonesUse of chemical deterrents (more later)

Problems associated with Urban CoyotesChildrens (and adult) Safety

Children (and Adult Safety)Children should be supervised

Coyotes consider adults too large to risk a confrontation

Domestic dog bites much more common than Coyote incidents: 5,000+ dog bites per year in Maricopa County 18 coyote incidents (bites and scratches) since 1997

Advocates of lethal Coyote RemovalOther removal methodsTrapping

Trapping and RelocatingWhy it doesnt workDisease transportation

New home VS. Home-Sweet-Home

Social intolerance dominant pack wins

Stress related deaths

Largely ineffective

Advocates of Coyote Tolerance.......kissing a coyote is always a bad idea!!!

SolutionsFixing the problem

Solutions Short TermRemoval of Nuisance animals by licensed professionals (Wildlife Service Licensees)Live trap on private property (or by permission of the owner)Recommend that all adult coyotes be euthanizedList of license holders provided

Solutions Short TermRemoval of non-responsive coyotes by AZGFDOvert aggressive behavior (baring teeth and approaching humans)Always lethal , effective for short term only (2-6 months)

Without human behavior and environmental changes, remaining coyotes and new renters will over time cause more conflicts

Solutions - Long TermFirst and foremostDO NOT FEEDRemoving or altering of attractants Clearing low brush, fallen fruits, bird feeders and surrounding areas, clean bbq grills, secure garbage, etc.Discourage coyote presenceCommunity wide effort (shaker can rattler, pots and pans, rocks, pepper spray, diluted ammonia, etc.)No more indifference or toleranceactive hazing of coyotes, anytime and anywhere Restricting AccessCoyote Roller, electric fencing, ammonia soaked rags, etc.

ARS 13-2927 Unlawful Feeding of WildlifeA person commits unlawful feeding of wildlife by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feeding, attracting or otherwise enticing wildlife into an area, with exceptions for birds or tree squirrels. Unlawful feeding is a petty offense. Applies in counties with a population greater than 280,000.

Bird FeedingIssuesBird SeedBirdsOther animalsAcceptable FeedingDeterrants

Getting everyone on the same page

Human DimensionsWildlife are simply reacting to their environmentHumans modify and enhance local environments (create opportunities for wildlife)Humans dominate this environmentHuman behavior is the only thing we can directly change Modifying human behavior and habits will affect wildlife behaviorResolution of conflict involves an active & united approach by the community

Our MessageSuccessfully Living with Wildlife is a dynamic process that requires:Increased knowledge and awarenessTaking responsibility when creating opportunities for wildlifeResponsible citizens and communities to assist with resolutionCooperation and support; Everyone on the Same Page!Were not saying just live with it!

Living with Wildlife!

AZ Game & Fish Dept$0 from State General Fund (tax revenue)Self-sustained Agency generating revenue mainly from Hunting/Fishing licenses and tagsRegion VI has the highest population density4 million people in Maricopa CountyAGFD doesnt have the manpower to respond to every human-wildlife conflict

AZ Game & Fish DeptWest Valley: 1 Officer & 1 Urban WL Specialist (entire region)Other responsibilities: Law enforcement, WL Management, Watercraft and OHV Patrols, Habitat Projects, etc. all in 40-hr weekTriage calls and respond when public health or safety is an issueMost calls only require simple information transfer

Messages for AllA fed coyote is a dead coyote

If you hate them be rude to them

If you love them be rude to them

Be an active participant

Spread the word to all residents

Wildlife in neighborhoods..and you think you have problems!!!!!

Questions?www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife

**Introduction and Outline to Presentation***Example of golf course and abundant food resources******Prey and open space*Resident geese**************************Normal situation in most communities******What we are striving for, wildlife has its space (outside of the backyard) and humans can enjoy their yards, feel safe, and also view wildlife (at a distance).*******