Friday afternoon traffic on Causeway Street near TD Garden had an unexpected guest when a coyote trotted along the roadway, threaded through light traffic, then hopped onto a median and continued toward the arena. The midday appearance brought passersby and drivers to a stop on a stretch more often ruled by buses and event crowds than wildlife.
Video, Photos And Eyewitness Accounts
Security camera footage and a driver’s dash cam captured the animal moving along the street, and witness Lionel Pasquale told the station he “was actually able to snap a picture” as it darted in and out of traffic. According to WHDH, Boston 311 and the Massachusetts Environmental Police also received calls about the sighting, and another photo shows the coyote leaping onto a median before heading toward the Garden.
Why Coyotes Are Turning Up In The City
Wildlife experts say daytime encounters tend to increase in late winter and spring, when eastern coyotes are more active during mating and dispersal and are pushed into neighborhoods. Local reporting has tracked similar daytime sightings from Jamaica Plain to the South End, and Boston.com rounds up recent reports and safety advice. That seasonal uptick helps explain how a coyote could wind up trotting down a busy city street in broad daylight.
What Officials Recommend
State wildlife officials urge residents to “haze” coyotes, meaning people should make loud noises, wave their arms and actively scare the animal away, and to secure food sources and pets to prevent coyotes from becoming too comfortable around people. MassWildlife’s guidance on preventing conflicts lays out hazing techniques and notes that authorities should be contacted if a coyote behaves aggressively or appears sick. For more on hazing and coexistence, see MassWildlife.
Who To Call
If you see a coyote in Boston, officials say to report it to 311 or Animal Care and Control. If the animal is aggressive, injured, or has bitten someone, contact MassWildlife or the Massachusetts Environmental Police dispatch. The City of Boston lists Animal Care and Control contacts and guidance for wildlife encounters, and the state provides a 24-hour environmental police dispatch line for emergencies. See Boston.gov and the Massachusetts Environmental Police for phone numbers and reporting instructions.
The Causeway Street sighting appears to have ended without incident, and there were no reports of injuries, according to WHDH. Officials say the brief visit is a reminder to keep pets close, remove attractants and report any concerning wildlife behavior to the contacts above.
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