Coyote sightings in Cedar Rapids part of uptick in animal’s urban presence

Coyotes that were recently spotted in two Cedar Rapids neighborhoods are part of an uptick in the presence of the animals in urban areas.

Vince Evelsizer, a furbearers and wetlands biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said that over the last five to 10 years, the state has seen a “slight uptick” in urban coyotes.

While he has heard of some issues with coyotes in Cedar Rapids, Evelsizer said the Des Moines metro area has recorded the most noticeable uptick in recent years.

Cedar Rapids City Council member Dale Todd said he has received reports of coyote sightings in northeast and southeast Cedar Rapids -- near Shaver Park and Bever Park.

“For years, coyotes have been coming into town through our wildlife corridors, along the riverfront, Sac and Fox Trail and along the railroad tracks,” Todd said.

He said he doesn’t think Cedar Rapids is at the point where the city needs to do “anything drastic” to address the coyotes’ presence.

Urbandale, in Polk County, developed a Coyote Management Plan in October 2023 with “action steps” for the city to take to address coyotes.

The plan includes information about the animal’s history in Iowa, its habits and diet. It also includes guidance for residents to prevent conflict with coyotes, which includes containing garbage to a closed receptacle, hanging birdfeeders high so coyotes cannot reach them, and cleaning grills regularly or storing them inside. The plan also advises residents to not leave pets unattended outside and to not leave food out for feral or stray animals.

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Evelsizer said Urbandale’s Coyote Management Plan is the only modern-day urban coyote plan in Iowa, to the DNR’s knowledge.

Todd said creating a management plan like Urbandale’s is not on the city’s radar now.

However, with more coyote sightings reported by Cedar Rapids residents and a firsthand sighting himself, he said Cedar Rapids “probably needs to get it on the radar screen now.”

“As a council, we have yet to discuss it,” Todd said.

Evelsizer said one key reason coyotes are making their way into cities is due to urban sprawl.

“They’re habitat generalists, meaning they can adapt to a general all types of habitats and still thrive,” Evelsizer said.

Coyotes are able to live in wooded or non-wooded areas, Evelsizer said, making them “one of the smartest, most adaptable species out there.”

Joe Taylor owns Paw Control Wildlife Solutions, an animal control service that serves the Eastern Iowa corridor.

Taylor’s company helps Eastern Iowa communities with “nuisance wildlife,” including coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, snakes and more.

This year Paw Control received about two dozen calls about coyotes in the area, which Taylor said is a typical number.

“When we get calls of coyote sightings, and in most cases, after we talk it through, the caller ultimately doesn’t call back because the coyote moved on,” Taylor said.

What to do if you’re concerned about a coyote

Taylor said a person should keep their distance “first and foremost” if they spot a coyote. He added that younger children or small pets should be kept back from a coyote so there’s “no likeliness of bad interactions.”

Coyote attacks on people are very rare. In May, investigators at the University of Iowa reported a coyote bit and attacked a woman who was walking on a trail in Iowa City. At the time, Evelsizer said it was the first recorded case of a coyote attacking a human in more than 20 years.

Evelsizer said it is best to take some “common sense precautions” if you spot a coyote or know of a sighting in your area.

He said some of these precautions include putting away any possible food sources left outside, keeping a close eye on small pets when letting them outside at night

In general, Todd said to always avoid feeding the coyotes.

“They’re not your pets and you don’t want them to be your pets,” Todd said.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com