Urban coyotes continue to populate Pinellas County

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Kurt Zuelsdorf is on the prowl for the urban coyote.

"He's behind the building now," said Zuelsdorf as he squinted into a pair of binoculars.

Today, Zuelsdorf, a wildlife enthusiast, is stalking the grounds of Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg.

"You know, at 200 yards away, he's tough to spot and keep an eye on," Zuelsdorf said as he scanned the open spaces around the headstones.

Then we spot one, right out in the open; crossing the main cemetery driveway. But one of the primary reasons these coyotes like the cemetery is habitat.

"It's quiet, it's a cemetery.  There's plenty of cover.  They can hide anywhere in here.  They can just lay down right where they are right now and you don't see them," explained Zuelsdorf.

You'd never notice it if you were just passing by.  But resting in the afternoon shade is a coyote.  

We saw two coyotes in the cemetery today. But these wild animals can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

"And then when nightfall comes, he's got a wonderful neighborhood around him to go hunting. It's really quite a perfect habitat for an urban coyote," said Zuelsdorf.

The map on the Pinellas County web site (see http://wfts.tv/xkN3cb ) is dotted with markings throughout the county. These are locations where coyotes have been spotted.  There's even a form for people to fill out should they spot one.

Although coyotes have a natural fear of humans, it's best for residents to be alert and take steps to avoid attracting the wild animals.

"So we have to keep our pets inside.  We have to be careful when we're walking our small dogs at sunrise or at sunset.  If you've got ducks or geese or chickens, you've got to be able to put them away in a proper timing.  Otherwise what we're doing is we're just feeding the environment for them and come and harass you," said Zuelsdorf.

It's best to accept that coyotes will continue to populate the region.  Knowing how to coexist with them will help to keep neighborhoods safe.

Visit http://wfts.tv/yt1jqk to find out more about coyotes in Pinellas County, or to report a sighting.

Image in courtesy video courtesy Jonathan Way/Eastern Coyote Research.