Residents of Cedar Park have been noticing a significant increase in coyote sightings, particularly in the Buttercup Creek area and along South Bell Boulevard. According to FOX 7 Austin, Cedar Park Animal Control has received a surge in calls about coyotes, jumping from 1-2 per month to about 10-20 last week alone. Local business owner Omar Alzer is among those who have spotted the animals, saying he's been on high alert before starting work at his restaurant each night. "We got the pits, and we brisket cooking overnight all the time, so you never know if one of them would be snoopin' around," Alzer told FOX 7 Austin.
The uptick in coyote encounters comes at a time when more of these animals are appearing sickly, many with mange—a skin disease caused by mites that can lead to hair loss. Cedar Park Animal Control is choosing not to trap coyotes, as Daryann Medvec, Animal Control Supervisor, explained that this can disrupt their social structure and inadvertently to lead to an increase in their population. Instead, they are focusing on treating sick animals and releasing them back to their habitat. Medvec shared that part of the reason coyotes are venturing from the greenbelt is their search for warmth due to the mange's side effects. "Once we can get treatment, we’ll be less likely to see them out of the greenbelt," Medvec stated in an interview with FOX 7 Austin.
Cedar Park Police are also emphasizing the importance of public education on the matter. KXAN reports that residents should actively remove food sources that might attract coyotes, such as pet food or garbage left outside. They advise using noise to discourage coyotes from approaching—banging pots and pans or yelling can be effective in these cases. Additionally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has noted the increase in coyote sightings statewide as a consequence of human development encroaching on their natural habitats.
For residents concerned about encounters, the recommended strategy is to "haze" the coyotes—employing tactics to make them leave without harm. Yelling and spraying with water hoses or water guns are suggested methods. "Coyotes can be stubborn, and it can occasionally take more than one time to haze them out," Medvec said, according to FOX 7 Austin. Adhering to these non-lethal deterrence tactics, the Cedar Park PD is also urging that sightings still be reported to help them monitor population levels and identify any coyotes in need of treatment. Texas Wildlife Services is cooperating with local governments like Austin to control nuisance wildlife, and residents can find more details on these efforts online.
