The San Jose Mercury News ran a piece today, alerting Los Gatos residents of dangerous coyotes seen near downtown Los Gatos recently: Los Gatos Pets Being Killed by Coyotes. Sadly, a cat and a dog were killed by these marauders. Traps have been set by vector control.
The outdoor editor of The Tampa Tribune recently wrote about coyotes attacking pets while on the leash in the Fort Myers area and how coyotes are now found in all 67 counties in Florida - from Key West to Pensacola.
A few days later I read your entry re: Los Gatos coyotes. Strange times.
Thanks very much for your comments. The coyotes are brazen in Florida to attack pets who are on leash. I am astrounded by that! Hopefully the coyotes in Los Gatos are more timid than that....
RE: Coyotes Roaming, Killing Pets in The Almond Grove and Glenridge Neighborhoods of Los Gatos
Posted by: Outside Date: Jun. 10, 2008
The Coyotes appear to den in the steep canyon above the upper San Jose water company water storage tank. They appear to be two mating pairs and a small pack that could consist of past offspring. In the evenings between 7:00 and 8:00 o'clock you can hear them howl as pack, prior to their evening hunt. Often times you can see them being accompanied by a flock of angry crows, who often loose there young as they begin to leave the nest for that first unsuccessful flight, just listen for the noise.
In the past they have been feeding on deer and other wildlife, and until recently presented little or no problem to the domestic animal population in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. However with increase in land development and the decline of the deer herd which has been dramatically thinned by natural predators and diseases, these predatory animals have been forced to seek out other prey in order to survive.
Eventually they will move on to a more indigenous area as there source of food becomes more difficult to obtain. It is most likely in late fall and early winter that they will migrate to better hunting grounds. Please keep in mind that coyotes like other predatory animals will more times than not only take the weak and otherwise easy prey first. Right now Los Gatos domestic pet population looks like a McDonalds or one of the more popular all you can eat smorgasbords. Keep your pets on a leash or better yet in your home. Please keep things in perspective; your pet is more likely to be struck by a speeding car before becoming an item on the menu for a natural predator.
I really appreciate your detailed comments, thank you very much. Next time I'm in that part of Los Gatos near sunset, I will listen!
A few months ago, my husband and I were walking at Belgatos Park when we saw part of a deer - it was a back leg and thigh. We weren't sure at the time if that animal was killed by a coyote or by a mountain lion (or bobcat). A park ranger later explained that the cats would keep their prey intact, but a coyote would scatter it in pieces. Interesting tidbit. (So to speak.)
RE: Coyotes Roaming, Killing Pets in The Almond Grove and Glenridge Neighborhoods of Los Gatos
Posted by: Anna Date: Feb. 19, 2009
hello.im anna and im doing a report and mulitimedia on how coyotes affect our enviroment.i was wondering if you could give me some tips. please answer to my email which is ahunley95@gmail.com.
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