Coyote sightings on the rise in Greenwood

GREENWOOD, Ind (WISH) — Authorities in Greenwood say coyote sightings are up. Neighbors aren’t just reporting seeing the wild animals in wooded areas. Experts say they’re moving to more populated areas.

Snow and shoppers are about all you see at the Greenwood Park Mall on Monday. But just months ago, it was reported that a coyote was in the area heading east. An frightening thought for shoppers like Charles Braun, “Kinda dangerous. I don’t want the children or people to get bit or anything like that.”

There were no reported injuries at the mall, but people in the area were surprised to know that coyotes would be lurking in busy areas, like a shopping center.

“I’ve never seen one here. So, I’m really surprised that other people have. I don’t know where they are coming from. There’s no woods around here,” said Braun.

Timberline Wildlife Controls’s DJ Johnson says coyotes typically congregate in areas away from people. But, they’re becoming more common in suburban and urban areas.

“There are over 2,000 coyotes in Cook County in Chicago. The studies that they’ve done, they’ve lived as close to and actually dinned in places next to the Bears stadium,” said Johnson.

Coyotes are so prevalent in Greenwood that on the city’s website, people can report sightings. There is also an incident map where you can click on reports to get details. With the colder weather, you can expect the number of reports to go up.

“In the weather it’s a little more difficult for them to find food because of the cold. Especially with the snow., so they’re more active,” said Johnson.

Because of that, Braun will be more active as well, “I go the other way. Real quick! I have my cell phone on. I can call police and let them know,” he said.

Here are some tips for prevention that are listed on the city of Greenwood’s website to prevent coyotes from coming to your neighborhood:

• Feed pets indoors whenever possible; pick up leftovers if feeding outdoors and store pet and livestock feed where it’s inaccessible to wildlife
• Eliminate water bowls and other artificial water sources (if possible).
• Position bird feeders in a location that is less likely to attract small animals or bring the feeders in at night (to keep coyotes from feeding on the bird food or the other animals).
• Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it. Secure garbage containers
• Trim and clean shrubbery near ground level to reduce hiding cover for coyotes or their prey
• Do not allow pets to run free and provide secure nighttime housing for them
• If you start seeing coyotes around your home, discourage them by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks but NEVER corner a coyote and always give the coyote a free escape route.

To report a sighting, or to view the city’s incident map click here.