LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. — Residents on Longboat Key met with Fish and Wildlife officials on Monday afternoon to talk about the area’s coyote problem. Residents started reporting coyote sightings beginning this summer. Longboat Key officers said they receive about ten calls per month on nuisance coyotes.
“Some people are very concerned and want us to take action,” said Chief Pete Cumming.
Fish and Wildlife experts said they will only trap coyotes once they becoming a nuisance for a particular area. They said coyote attacks on people are very rare, about three per year.
“We will document the action, but for the most part we have to learn to live with them,” said Cumming.
Coyote protection tips:
- Keep garbage and pet food secured
- Yell at coyotes to scare them away
- Never feed a coyote
You can report nuisance coyotes to Fish and Wildlife by calling: 888-404-3922.
