NYC coyote sightings on the rise. One expert explains the surge
NEW YORK CITY - Coyote sightings are increasing across New York City, according to officials, after sightings spiked back in 2019 when one was spotted in Central Park.
"We’ve been sort of keeping track of the coyotes with non-invasive methods since 2011," said wildlife biologist, Dr. Chris Nagy.
Nagy is also the co-founder of the Gotham Coyote Project. Since 2010, they’ve been studying coyotes and following their movements without touching or disturbing the animals.
Coyote spotted in Queens
Earlier this year, residents of Queens spotted a coyote strolling through the street.
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Coyote spotted strolling through Queens neighborhood
The coyote was seen wandering through some backyards and down the sidewalk and is now in the care of a nature center.
Police first responded to a report of a coyote in the area of 81st Avenue and 257th Street in the Glen Oaks neighborhood.
Video shared by the New York Police Department’s 105th Precinct showed the animal slowly strolling down a sidewalk.
The animal was later captured and brought to the Sweet Briar Nature Center in Smithtown on Long Island.
"We found a handful of places where coyotes are breeding. Every spring and summer, they have pups," Nagy said.
Nagy is confident nearly every park in New York City has a coyote camping out.
Coyote rescued from East River
About a month following the sighting in Queens, one was rescued from the East River.
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Video: Coyote rescued from East River in New York City
The NYPD's Harbor Unit arrived at the scene to rescue the wild animal from the river.
Police responded to a call of a "distressed dog" battling the currents of the East River.
But when the NYPD's Harbor Unit arrived at the scene, the animal actually turned out to be a coyote.
The coyote was rescued and went into the care of a veterinarian.
"A fed coyote is a dead coyote because one day, that coyote will get used to being fed, he'll approach people who may not want to feed him, or go some place where he's not supposed to be, and that could cause a problem," Nagy said.