Boaters at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor got an unexpected visitor Saturday when a coyote wandered the marina docks, slipping between boat slips as startled onlookers pulled out their phones. Witness video shows the animal padding along walkways near moored vessels before disappearing back into the vegetation along the waterfront.
The encounter was captured and shared by local station Action News Jax, which published footage of the coyote calmly exploring the docks while visitors watched from a distance. Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor is located on Camachee Island at 3070 Harbor Drive in St. Augustine, according to Visit St. Augustine.
Local context and recent incidents
Coyotes have been turning up more often in developed parts of Northeast Florida, and unusual behavior has pushed some communities to respond with traps and public alerts. Last year, multiple attacks in Atlantic Beach led to a local response and warnings from officials about aggressive behavior, a reminder of why residents tend to take sightings seriously, according to News4JAX.
What wildlife officials recommend
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges people not to feed wildlife, to secure trash and pet food, and to “haze” coyotes by making loud noises and waving their arms so the animals keep a healthy fear of humans. The agency notes that homeowners are generally responsible for dealing with nuisance coyotes and that some removal methods and traps require permits.
If a coyote appears aggressive or injured, officials say people should report it to 911 and call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
