Date: 12/30/2009  Press Release
Author: WildEarth Guardians
Contact: Dr. Nicole Rosmarino, WildEarth Guardians, (505) 699-7404
Email: nrosmarino@wildearthguardians.org
Additional Contact: 

Bloody December in Greenwood Village War Against Coyotes 

Residents Urge the City to Adopt Coexistence Plan for Native Carnivore 

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, C.O.—Dec. 30. Some Greenwood Village residents are outraged about reports from the police that 5 coyotes were shot this month (4 by police and 1 by a homeowner), along with 1 coyote that was hit and killed by a car. The residents are calling for the city to adopt a management plan that emphasizes coexistence with, not killing, coyotes.

The number of coyotes shot in a single month mirrored the number shot in May 2009. In May, police reports indicated that in several cases, shot coyotes fled and were never verified as killed, sparking protests. Residents are trying to obtain December’s police reports to determine whether coyotes this month were wounded and maimed or verified as killed.

“I’m finding it increasingly more difficult to live in an area where, from the mayor on down, there is so little respect for wildlife and such a lack of intellectual curiosity as to the biology and ecology of the environment in which they live. Sadly, this current government only represents an ignorant and vocal minority that share their views,” stated Randi Johnson, a long-time Greenwood Village resident.

Greenwood Village’s coyote management plan is the most lethal in the Denver metropolitan area. By allowing the city to kill any “habituated” coyote, it permits killing of any (and every) coyote in the city. It stands in contrast to plans and policies followed by Centennial, Denver, and elsewhere, which generally focus on hazing and education efforts and reserve control for coyotes who demonstrate aggression toward people. Those cities recognize that coyotes are a native carnivore that is a natural part of the Denver metro area’s environment.

WildEarth Guardians and some city residents have maintained that the city’s indiscriminate shooting program is much more of a threat than any that coyotes pose. The fact that police officers have previously wounded animals and not tracked them down and euthanized them means that police may be creating a graver problem, of desperate, maimed coyotes.

“As a 40 year Greenwood Village resident, I have witnessed the shooting and cruel trapping of coyotes for years. Dogs have been caught, injured and even killed in these traps. It’s only matter of time before a HUMAN is either accidentally shot or caught in a trap, which makes this policy a public safety threat to humans and animals alike,” stated Lucy Thulin.

In response to public criticism, Greenwood Village has stated that it is hazing coyotes, including using paintballs to scare coyotes away. But the recent spate of shootings indicates the city has returned to a tactic it has used for over 15 years: killing coyotes on sight.

Scientists have discovered that coyotes in lethally controlled populations will increase breeding and have larger litter sizes. Thus, killing coyotes can, ironically, increase coyote populations. Dr. Marc Bekoff, who has studied coyotes since 1970, notes, “Killing coyotes doesn’t work to reduce conflict with humans. Whether you love them or hate them, you shouldn’t endorse the killing approach.”

Coyotes are a native carnivore and play an important part in Colorado’s ecosystems. By controlling smaller predators, they benefit ground-nesting birds and other wildlife, thereby creating greater biodiversity.