Long Island coyote sightings spur officials to issue warning to residents

Officials are encouraging residents to stay safe, alert and informed after five coyotes were spotted in Nassau County last week.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals posted a notice on the town's website on Thursday about recent sightings in the area that included strategies to avoid an interaction with the animals.

The sightings were reported in Lattingtown, Locust Valley, Glen Head, Manhasset and East Hills, Saladino said in an emailed statement.

Town spokesperson Marissa Boccio said in a phone interview that coyotes are typically not aggressive toward humans and that anyone spotting one acting hostile should call 911. Do not run or turn your back to the animal to avoid appearing as prey, she said.

"Coyotes are curious but not typically aggressive so use caution and common sense, and remember it is best to leave them alone," Saladino said in the statement. 

Residents should not allow coyotes to approach people or pets, and dogs and cats should be kept inside, the guidelines said. Pets that go outside should be supervised at all times.

The town said while conflicts between dogs and coyotes can happen any time of the year, they are more likely to occur in the months of March and April when coyotes set up denning areas for their expected coyote pups.

Spotted since 2018

A decade ago, Long Island was the last major region of the continental United States without coyotes or a major predator outside of raccoons, foxes or the common house cat. But coyotes have been spotted on Long Island since 2018 and have migrated along the North Shore, said Nassau SPCA President Gary Rogers.

"They’re all over Long Island and moving farther east. Because of the water barriers, they never came over, but eventually made their way through the tunnels," Rogers said.

The DEC said it began receiving reports of coyotes in 2013 and have periodically received reports each year since. Coyotes were first confirmed in 2018, when they were spotted in Roslyn and confirmed by multiple videos submitted to the DEC.

No confirmed coyote sightings have been reported in Suffolk, according to the SPCA of Suffolk County.

The coyote population has been growing after they were first seen crossing rail lines and tunnels to Queens, Rogers said. Ever since, they have been breeding and expanding in Nassau County and moving farther east across Long Island. They often travel alone but have been seen in small dens of two to three at a time, he said. 

"They’ve populated and generally stay in large, wooded areas to roam and hunt at night," he added.

The coyote population is monitored by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Hunting coyotes is prohibited on Long Island, Rogers said. He said they’ve never posed a major threat except to pets left outside.

"The most important thing is to keep cats inside. If coyotes see people, they usually go and hide. If you see them, go the other way."

If you are confronted by a coyote, stand tall and hold arms out to look large, Oyster Bay recommends in its online tips , adding: "If a coyote lingers for too long, then make loud noises, wave your arms, throw sticks and stones." 

The town also warned against leaving out unintentional food sources such as birdseed, food for feral cats, and certain garbage that can attract coyotes, and suggested compost piles should be fenced in or enclosed.

 The town did not confirm the exact dates of the coyote sightings. 

"Every year, more are seen together. We’re not used to it and people get scared. We get calls all the time," Rogers said. "They’ve been here almost 10 years and maybe longer."