Coyote appears to have been spotted in Inwood: photos

INWOOD, NY – Keep an eye out for the Inwoodites, it looks like a coyote is wandering around the Upper Manhattan neighborhood.

Tommy Helgy, who lives on Seaman Avenue near the paddleball courts, posted a photo of a coyote he saw walking in Inwood Hill Park late Monday night.

Helgy took the photos from his bedroom window but did not specify where exactly he spotted the animal.

The photos are probably a bit blurry. However, the New York City Parks Department told Patch the animal “appears to be a coyote” – but could not definitively confirm that.

“I live on Seaman Avenue, near the paddleball courts,” Helgy wrote in her Facebook post. “I woke up and looked out the window and the Coyotes are back. This image does not represent its actual size. “

Helgy told Patch that the coyote was eating trash with a possum while he and his girlfriend watched.

The Inwood resident added that he had seen coyotes in the area before for the past two years.

A Department of Parks representative told Patch residents should be “aware, but not concerned,” as the city agency has been monitoring a coyote or two in Upper Manhattan since late 2019 “and has no reason to believe as the population has increased. “

The Parks Department has also provided some tips on how best to coexist with coyotes in New York City.

• Do not feed the coyotes. Keeping coyotes wild is the key to coexistence. Feeding coyotes can cause them to lose their natural hunting instincts and cause coyotes to associate humans with food.

• Observe and appreciate coyotes from a distance. Although they may look like dogs, coyotes are wild animals. The best way to keep you and the coyote safe is to keep your distance.

• Store all food and garbage in animal-proof containers. Coyotes are very resourceful and will find ways to squeeze through unsecured garbage cans and pet food containers.

• Protect your pets. Walk dogs on a leash and keep cats indoors for added safety.

• Keep coyotes wary. If you are approached, make yourself appear taller by raising your arms and making loud noises until the coyote retreats. Enjoy coyotes from a distance.

Coyotes have lived in New York City since the 1930s and are most commonly seen in Queens and the Bronx. The animal does not form true packs, but sometimes lives in family units of up to six coyotes when young.

For advice on coexisting with coyotes and urban wildlife in New York City, you can visit the WildlifeNYC website.