In San Francisco, a resident woke up to an unexpected visitor on their patio furniture – a wild coyote. City animal control officers described the coyote as “reluctant to move” and lounging on the outdoor couch. Concerned that the coyote might be injured or ill, the resident called animal control for assistance.
When an officer arrived at the scene, they found the coyote still unwilling to leave. The officer approached the animal and tried to persuade it to move. After a brief interaction, the coyote finally got up, stretched, and made its way to the edge of the yard. It then hopped over a wall and disappeared into some nearby brush. The officer noted that the coyote appeared to be in good health and was moving normally.
Officials believe that the coyote was a young, healthy male who had recently been forced out of its den and was trying to navigate through the city. They estimate that around 100 wild coyotes currently reside in San Francisco, a significant increase from the population in the 1940s when they were on the verge of extinction in the area.
While coyotes are generally shy and non-aggressive, they may display assertive behavior if they feel threatened or are protecting their young. Officials highlighted the importance of coyotes in controlling the rodent population, which helps reduce the transmission of diseases.
This incident follows other recent encounters with coyotes in San Francisco. Firefighters rescued a drowning coyote off a pier, and there have been reports of coyote attacks on children and howling coyotes roaming deserted streets at night.
Overall, the presence of coyotes in San Francisco serves as a reminder of the city’s diverse wildlife and the need to coexist with nature.
