sun city september 18, 2014
DESCRIPTION
Darren Julian—Urban Wildlife Specialist Officer Lainie Antolik—Wildlife Manager AZ Game & Fish Department Region VI (480)981-9400 www.AZGFD.gov. Sun City September 18, 2014. Living with Arizona’s Wildlife. Overview of Common Urban Wildlife with emphasis on Coyotes Needs of Wildlife - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Darren JulianUrban Wildlife SpecialistOfficer Lainie AntolikWildlife Manager AZ Game & Fish Department Region VI(480)981-9400www.AZGFD.govSun CitySeptember 18, 2014
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Living with Arizonas WildlifeOverview of Common Urban Wildlife with emphasis on CoyotesNeeds of WildlifeWhy they are in your neighborhoodHuman-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Eliminating attractantsChanging Human BehaviorCooperative Effort and Taking Responsibility
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Wildlife in the CityDevelopment temporarily displaces neighboring populationsEmigration
The oasis we have created for ourselves suits them tooImmigration
Life is easier in your neighborhood than in the desertHigher concentrations of some species in urban areas
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Wildlife AttractantsHabitat = Food, Water, Cover or Shelter, Space and Arrangement of these componentsGolf courses provide most of these on their own
Water sources, pools, bird baths etc.
Pet food and small pets that are left unsupervised
Low brush for hiding cover near a hunting area
Bird feeders and bird seed
ACCESS to these areas without harassment key component
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Common Urban WildlifeCoyotesJavelinaBobcatsFoxesSkunksRaccoonsMountain lions
RabbitsQuailRodentsDeerBirdsHawks & FalconsOwls
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Urban CoyotesToday, the focus is on urban coyotes, but a lot of the information and messages can be applied to other urban wildlife.For more information visit www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife
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Urban CoyotesCoyote Jay WalkingCoyote Looking for a parking spotThis construction traffic is a nightmare!
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Basic Coyote BiologyCoyote Vital StatisticsWeight: 15-30 lbs. Length with tail: 40-50" Shoulder Height: 15-20" Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years Mating Season: Jan-March Gestation Period: 58-65 days No. of Young: 2-12, 6 avg. Birth Interval: 1 year Lifespan: 7-10 years (in the wild)
Typical diet: Small mammals and birds (80%), insects, reptiles, fruit, carrion, garbage, bird seed, pet food and small petsWhen coyotes are trapped and removed from an area, it causes a breakdown in the animal's social structure and can cause more coyotes to breed and their territory to expand
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Basic Coyote BiologyCurious Coyote FactsOnly 5-20% of coyote pups survive their first yearCoyotes can run at almost 40 mph and jump over a 8' fenceCoyotes can breed with domestic dogs Coyotes are naturally afraid of humans - more afraid of you than vice-versa
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Other Coyote FactsHighly adaptable & opportunistic predatory animal
Intelligent animal easily trained (conditioning)
Naturally fearful of Humans
Fear lost in stages over timeRemoved by proximity indifference Tolerance Feeding (active or inadvertent)
Not naturally aggressive toward larger opponents
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Why Do Coyotes seem to be increasing in number?
Abundance of prey species and abundance of other food sources
Acceptance of their presence encourages closer contactWithout discouragement, coyotes begin to include back yards, porches and other areas as part of their home rangeSame number of coyotes seen more often
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Sun City, Arizona
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Presence of Coyote PacksCoyotes are a highly social animalPacks are made up of non-breeding offspring from this year and last yearThis social structure is for defense of food and territoryPack formation and size is determined by the available food sources; more food means less competition and less likelihood of dispersal
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Problems associated with Urban CoyotesDisease concerns
Mange
Distemper
Other common canine diseases
Vaccinated pets are not at risk
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Problems associated with Urban CoyotesCat ConcernsSmall Dog Concerns
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SolutionsKeeping Cats Safe
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SolutionsDisguise our pets?
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SolutionsBigger Cats?
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Cats and Small Dogs SafetyNo substitution for supervision
The more time pets are left unattended, the higher the likelihood that a predator will take advantage of these opportunities
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Walking Your DogKeep dogs on a leashBe aware of your surroundingsBuddy system, walk in groups, assist othersCarry a walking stickIf you encounter a coyote:Do not runPick up small dogs, keep big dogs closeBe aggressive, use aggressive postures and movements, use low, loud tonesUse of chemical deterrents (more later)
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Problems associated with Urban CoyotesChildrens (and adult) Safety
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Children (and Adult Safety)Children should be supervised
Coyotes consider adults too large to risk a confrontation
Domestic dog bites much more common than Coyote incidents: 5,000+ dog bites per year in Maricopa County 18 coyote incidents (bites and scratches) since 1997
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Advocates of lethal Coyote RemovalOther removal methodsTrapping
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Trapping and RelocatingWhy it doesnt workDisease transportation
New home VS. Home-Sweet-Home
Social intolerance dominant pack wins
Stress related deaths
Largely ineffective
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Advocates of Coyote Tolerance.......kissing a coyote is always a bad idea!!!
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SolutionsFixing the problem
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Solutions Short TermRemoval of Nuisance animals by licensed professionals (Wildlife Service Licensees)Live trap on private property (or by permission of the owner)Recommend that all adult coyotes be euthanizedList of license holders provided
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Solutions Short TermRemoval of non-responsive coyotes by AZGFDOvert aggressive behavior (baring teeth and approaching humans)Always lethal , effective for short term only (2-6 months)
Without human behavior and environmental changes, remaining coyotes and new renters will over time cause more conflicts
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Solutions - Long TermFirst and foremostDO NOT FEEDRemoving or altering of attractants Clearing low brush, fallen fruits, bird feeders and surrounding areas, clean bbq grills, secure garbage, etc.Discourage coyote presenceCommunity wide effort (shaker can rattler, pots and pans, rocks, pepper spray, diluted ammonia, etc.)No more indifference or toleranceactive hazing of coyotes, anytime and anywhere Restricting AccessCoyote Roller, electric fencing, ammonia soaked rags, etc.
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ARS 13-2927 Unlawful Feeding of WildlifeA person commits unlawful feeding of wildlife by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feeding, attracting or otherwise enticing wildlife into an area, with exceptions for birds or tree squirrels. Unlawful feeding is a petty offense. Applies in counties with a population greater than 280,000.
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Bird FeedingIssuesBird SeedBirdsOther animalsAcceptable FeedingDeterrants
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Getting everyone on the same page
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Human DimensionsWildlife are simply reacting to their environmentHumans modify and enhance local environments (create opportunities for wildlife)Humans dominate this environmentHuman behavior is the only thing we can directly change Modifying human behavior and habits will affect wildlife behaviorResolution of conflict involves an active & united approach by the community
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Our MessageSuccessfully Living with Wildlife is a dynamic process that requires:Increased knowledge and awarenessTaking responsibility when creating opportunities for wildlifeResponsible citizens and communities to assist with resolutionCooperation and support; Everyone on the Same Page!Were not saying just live with it!
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Living with Wildlife!
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AZ Game & Fish Dept$0 from State General Fund (tax revenue)Self-sustained Agency generating revenue mainly from Hunting/Fishing licenses and tagsRegion VI has the highest population density4 million people in Maricopa CountyAGFD doesnt have the manpower to respond to every human-wildlife conflict
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AZ Game & Fish DeptWest Valley: 1 Officer & 1 Urban WL Specialist (entire region)Other responsibilities: Law enforcement, WL Management, Watercraft and OHV Patrols, Habitat Projects, etc. all in 40-hr weekTriage calls and respond when public health or safety is an issueMost calls only require simple information transfer
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Messages for AllA fed coyote is a dead coyote
If you hate them be rude to them
If you love them be rude to them
Be an active participant
Spread the word to all residents
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Wildlife in neighborhoods..and you think you have problems!!!!!
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Questions?www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife
**Introduction and Outline to Presentation***Example of golf course and abundant food resources******Prey and open space*Resident geese**************************Normal situation in most communities******What we are striving for, wildlife has its space (outside of the backyard) and humans can enjoy their yards, feel safe, and also view wildlife (at a distance).*******