Nya Nicholson developed these informative guides for coexisting peacefully with urban coyotes after identifying a set of common concerns in reports of coyote sightings for her community partner, the Atlanta Coyote Project.
As I begin to wrap things up with the Atlanta Coyote Project, I can say that I’ve enjoyed my time with the organization. All my work was completed virtually which wasn’t what I had planned for, but it turned out to fit well with my busy schedule this semester. My primary task involved reviewing submitted coyote sightings through the project’s website. The organization is run by two college professors with busy schedules of their own. They haven’t been able to thoroughly look through these submissions in several years, so my task of going through the submissions was the top priority.
There were hundreds of submissions that I had to read with varying experiences and attitudes toward coyotes. Negative feedback often stemmed from concerns about the safety of pets or children. Positive perspectives typically came from people who had familiarized themselves with coyotes through the project’s website or other sources, expressing curiosity and fascination about local wildlife. The Atlanta Coyote Project’s website has valuable insights on coyotes and strategies for coexistence, yet the abundance of information available may be overwhelming to digest.
For my final project, I aim to create straightforward infographics with concise information for easy reference based on the seasons. Coyotes exhibit different behaviors throughout the seasons, and as the weather gets warmer, coyote pups tend to be more active and branch out. Concurrently, humans and pets also spend more time out when it’s warmer. Through my infographic, I hope to provide important seasonal information and address common public concerns, so people can be better informed about coexistence with coyotes. Ultimately, this infographic could serve as a resource on their website, social media platforms, or used as a flyer for presentations.
This is my first blog post since the first introduction, and I’ve had a few updates. Initially, I was matched with the South River Watershed Alliance and had planned to create an educational video to share with the public. Unfortunately, those plans fell through, and I had to explore other options for a new partnership. I decided to work with the Atlanta Coyote project.
This organization, led by two biologists who are also professors at local universities, aims to study the presence of coyotes within the Atlanta metro area. They mainly focus on understanding how coyotes adapt to urban and suburban environments, their impact on local ecosystems, and strategies for peaceful coexistence between humans and coyotes. This work involves a collaboration among scientists, volunteers, and the public who collect data through camera traps, GPS tracking, and public sighting reports.
My interest in the Atlanta Coyote Project was sparked earlier this semester after I attended a presentation by their organization at Trees Atlanta. Going in, I knew nothing about coyotes, let alone that they were living around us, and some have even been spotted in Piedmont Park! Dr. Mowry talked about their work and shared valuable information about coexisting with coyotes. He also shared an interesting story about a melanistic coyote named Carmine, who became known for his unusual friendliness towards neighborhood dogs. Reports of a black ‘dog-like’ animal playing with pets in people’s yards circulated, bringing attention to the possible interactions between urban wildlife and the community. With assistance from the public, Carmine was eventually captured by the Atlanta Coyote Project and rescuers and transferred to a wildlife sanctuary. Some pet owners were uneasy about his friendly demeanor, and given his presence in busy areas, relocating him was considered necessary for his safety.
Carmine’s story emphasizes the challenges of managing wildlife in urban areas. As part of my involvement with the Atlanta Coyote Project, I’ve been reviewing the tracking reports submitted by the public, focusing on the comments regarding each sighting or encounter. So far, I’ve learned a lot about the perception the public has towards these animals, both positive and negative. My plan is to use the data from these reports to create a project that explores the nuanced interactions between humans and coyotes in the city. Ultimately, I hope to dispel some of the misinformation that may cause people to perceive coyotes negatively.
Here’s a short clip about Carmine: