SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Expect to see more coyotes across central Florida in the coming months.
Joshua Morera, an experienced trapper with Spartan Wildlife Recovery, says mating season starts in January. He’s been getting more calls from families who have spotted the animals near their homes.
“It used to be 2 to 5 a week,” said Morera. “I’m at maybe 20 to 30 a week right now.”
Morera has been helping a neighborhood near Lake Myrtle that has been dealing with coyotes for months. Neighbors there also reached out to News 6 about the growing problem.
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Morera says he hears from clients all over the state.
“Yesterday I just got an email from a lady in Tampa,” said Morera. “She has cats and the cats are going missing.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documents the calls they get about coyotes. In Seminole County, they received more than 50 in 2021 and 2022. Then in 2023, they received 75.
Commissioners started the first meeting of the new year with a presentation from FWC about wildlife and how they engage with communities to co-exist responsibly.
Jayne Johnston, a senior wildlife assistance biologist, says they travel to HOAs and communities to share knowledge about coyote behavior and even offer residential training, for instance how to haze coyotes.
“Scaring will get them to alter their behavior and become more nocturnal,” said Johnston. “They’re not going to leave the area, because they’ve established their territory, but they will want to avoid you at all costs.”
FWC offers information about how to effectively haze or deter coyotes online.
According to a 2007 report, coyotes live in all 67 counties in Florida. Johnston says they can be found in suburban and urban areas.
Johnston says as more areas are developed, coyotes find open spaces close to mitigation preserves and forested areas.
“Because they are able to utilize a smaller area in the urban environment, you essentially can have more coyotes in an urban landscape than you do in the wild,” said Johnston.
Commissioner Andria Herr who represents District 5 said in Tuesday’s meeting that she’s noticed more coyotes in her area in recent years.
“They walk down the street in the middle of the day. They do follow people,” said Herr. “The scariest position I think is for folks who do have fences in their yard, you can’t see it, and you accidentally let the dog out. Then, it can’t get out of the yard fast enough because of the way it came over the fence.”
Herr encouraged commissioners to think about a long-term plan, which should include educating communities about coyotes. Commissioner Amy Lockart also said that a proactive approach will be critical considering so many people are moving to Florida from out of state.
She also asked FWC about control or eradication measures. FWC says it is often inefficient and ineffective.
FWC encourages homeowners to be aware of their surroundings and what food sources are attracting the animals — Clean up pet food, fallen fruit and seed around bird feeders, and secure garbage cans. Wildlife officers also encourage people to keep an eye on their pets in enclosed spaces and walk them on a short leash.
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