The Upper West Side’s very own coyote has traipsed up and down Riverside Drive for three days now even as dozens of police officers on foot, in vehicles and in helicopters have tracked him. At times, police have come close to cornering the coyote, but it has always stayed one step ahead, tiptoeing into the park or some brush.
Last night, police had gathered at 102nd street and Riverside Drive as the coyote quietly walked up Riverside Drive on 104th, as seen in the photo above by @sammogh. A coyote? Goodness me! No, I haven’t seen anything. I’m just a domesticated local dog trying to catch up with my owner. Oh, off-leash hours are over? Sorry about that officer.
It was also seen at 122nd and Riverside, 113th and Riverside and possibly on 83rd. In previous days, it’s been seen as far South as Lincoln Center and as far North as Grant’s Tomb on 122nd. Broker Paul Zweben tells us the little guy is looking for a 3,900 square foot apartment in the area — he needs “room to roam.” Don’t we all.
RT @NowThisGIF: Just a coyote hanging out in the Upper West Side: pic.twitter.com/yHX73eXRlI
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 24, 2015
Here are some tips for how to “coexist” with a coyote:
Five Easy Tips for Coexisting with Coyotes
- Do Not Feed Coyotes. Keeping coyotes wild is the key to coexistence. Their life and your safety depend upon coyotes remaining naturally wary of people.
- Remove Attractants. Store food, pet food, and garbage in animal proof containers. Do not leave food or garbage behind in a park.
- Supervise Pets. Walk dogs on a leash and keep cats inside for safety.
- Keep Coyotes Wary. If you are approached, act big and make loud noises until the coyote retreats.
- Appreciate Coyotes. From a distance. Stay at least 150 feet (45 meters) or more from the animal.
that’s such a great picture.
Re: Tip #4 “If you are approached, act big and make loud noises”
That should be easy for most of the 20-, 30-, 40-, and even 50-something crowd! Proof? Spend a few unpleasant hours “dining” at any trendy UWS restaurant.
Meanwhile, let’s hear it for El Coyote! YOU GO, guy (or girl)!!
Meanwhile#2, maybe the Polizia need to lure El Coyote by donning Road-Runner costumes and going “Meep-Meep,” as in the Wile-E-Coyote cartoons?
Why don’t we just leave the coyote be? It’s not rabid and unless you let your precious yorkie run off leash at 5 AM in the park, it’s not a danger to anyone except for some rats.
Jay – because even if the coyote is completely docile and not a threat to humans or our pets, it might get run over or hit by a car.
“it might get hit by a car”…or fall off a cliff chasing a roadrunner…
I find it pretty hard to believe that all the effort spent by the NYPD is motivated by a desire to protect the coyote’s health and well-being. I’d say it’s probably a *bit* more likely that it’s instead due to a healthy dose of hysteria and city dwellers’ relative unfamiliarity with nature.
Would that count against the vision zero stats?
I love that predators like coyotes and hawks are moving back into NYC. We have real pest problems (rats, pigeons) that require some sort of counterbalance. My fear is mostly for the predators eating poison intended to control the pest populations by accident.
I couldn’t agree with you more! This is balance in nature being restored, to a degree. Again, aside from people’s somewhat understandable and possibly well-placed (though overblown) fear, the presence of predators is good for the overall ecosystem. Rat, mouse, and pigeon populations grow out of whack because there’s nothing preying on them. That’s why having things like hawks and coyotes is a *good* thing.
Meanwhile there are Cougars running wild all over the Upper East Side, snatching up young men as fast as they can, and no one is doing a thing about it.
Your name fits! You gave me a good laugh, thanks.
I can’t stop laughing Sally!! TY!
LOL! Best comment yet!
Thank you for the laugh!
Hahaha @ Sally. Thanks.
And who took this great photo?
Credit due!
My husband, Sam, took it and captioned it. Thanks for the kind words, Carol!
I hope that nobody shoots him. Poor little guy is hungry and not hurting anyone. Just hope he is not hit by a car.
Good thing no one leaves garbage out in NYC.
Personally, I’m looking forward to the inevitable buffalo arrival.
Eh, that’s a Australian Cattledog 🙂 also known as a Blue Heeler because they are “blue”. There are at least two of them on the UWS and they are beautifully smart and friendly dogs that happen to look like coyotes and happen to get gleefully off leash at times. https://www.wds2015.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/australian-cattle-dog.jpg
Well, I guess they found an abundant food source to bring them into our park: RATS!
Two words, “Meep meep.” Or is that one word twice?
Well!! Well!! I guess Wile Coyote isn’t a fictional, cartoon character after all.
They say sly as a fox. What about a coyote – is it crafty as a coyote?