Coyotes: the Latest New Yorkers to Stroll the Streets

By Yehudit Garmaise

Is at least one coyote camping out in every park in New York City?

Wildlife biologist, Dr. Chris Nagy, the co-founder of the Gotham Coyote Project, told fox5ny that he thinks so.

"We found a handful of places where coyotes are breeding, “said Dr. Nagy, who said coyote sightings across New York City are increasing. “Every spring and summer, the coyotes have pups." 

Brooklynites may want to keep their eyes open for what might appear to be dogs that are not on leashes because after a wild coyote was spotted in Central Park in 2019, earlier in 2023, residents of the Glen Oaks neighborhood in Queens spotted a coyote strolling down 81st Avenue and 257th Street.

While the Queens coyote was captured and brought to the Sweet Briar Nature Center in Smithtown on Long Island, a month later, NYPD officers responded to reports of a "distressed dog" that was battling the currents of the East River.

The NYPD's Harbor Unit arrived at the scene, but the police officers quickly identified the animal as a wild coyote, which was rescued and then sent to a veterinarian’s care.

"We’ve been sort of keeping track of the coyotes with non-invasive methods since 2011," said Dr. Nagy, who studies coyotes and following their movements without touching, nor disturbing the animals.

Coyotes, which usually pose minimal risks, have been known to attack humans, said the Urban Coyote Research Project, which added, “The majority of attack incidents could be reduced or prevented through modification of human behavior.”

Appearing threatening or even attempting to feed coyotes are not good ideas.

"A fed coyote is a dead coyote because one day, that coyote will get used to being fed, but then one day, he'll approach people who may not want to feed him,” Dr. Nagy said. “Or the coyote might go someplace where he's not supposed to be, and that could cause problems."