Pug vs Coyote @ Gilbert Riparian Preserve

[chumley]

This is generating some fantastic comments on that social site.

I think normally this coyote feeds on feral cats at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. ;)

The dog owners think it's cute that the two like to play with each other.

After 200+ comments telling them how naive, irresponsible, and stupid they are, the owner responded:
(quote from FB comments)

LOL at all you armchair animal experts who think you know what's going on here. Your outrage is ridiculous. Harvey and I walk these trails often, and we see the coyote every time we go. It's obviously the only coyote on that small acreage of land. If you've ever been, you'd know there's no lack of food for the coyote. Your uninformed, knee-jerk reactions are keeping you from enjoying a simple video of two unlikely friends. If it were a lion cub and a pygmy goat, you'd have shared it already. But, such is the life of an internet cynic.

Video from AZCentral: http://bit.ly/1oBwwkL

[nonot]

I enjoyed taking photos of the coyotes at the Gilbert Riparian Reserve. I saw at least two last time I visted.

Just like there is a small pack in the Usery Park, anyone who is upset about the number and proximity of wildlife, should realize they were here first!

[CannondaleKid]

Just like there is a small pack in the Usery Park, anyone who is upset about the number and proximity of wildlife, should realize they were here first!

I've always enjoyed the yips and howls out of the coyote clan at Usery.
And for that matter, I don't mind the coyote or the family of foxes we have in our neighborhood as they compete for first dibs on keeping the stray cat population down. I don't care who wins, as long as they keep it up... as in keep the cat population down.
:whistle:

[DarthStiller]

as in keep the cat population down

AMEN Brother Mark!!!!!!! :thanx:

[chumley]

It’s like the biggest Gilbert Riparian Preserve in the world. It’s amazing there aren’t more!

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/12/24 ... epartment/

Hilight quote:

The Parks Department said if you cross paths with wild animals in New York City, respect them the same way you would any other New Yorker, and give them plenty of space

[big_load]

There are some rabid coyotes out here, but mostly we have the regular kind. I enjoy listening them go off at night. I wish I understood what they're communicating.

[Alston_Neal]

@chumley
"respect them the same way you would any other New Yorker"
Run screaming in the opposite direction, banging pots and pans, or throwing feral cats at them?

[azbackpackr]

@Alston_Neal
Uh oh.

[chumley]

I wish I understood what they're communicating.

Oooooh. I know! I know!

[big_load]

@chumley

I always thought they were organizing their nightly assault on the deer, who seem oblivious to their impending doom.

[chumley]

@big_load Food is a close second to sex for most species. I didn’t know that coyotes take deer. I thought they were more into smaller mammals like squirrels (and feral cats). But this is definitely not an area of expertise for me, so I defer to Alston...

[Alston_Neal]

@chumley
I was referring to New Yorkers, coyotes I assume would react the same way.

[big_load]

I didn’t know that coyotes take deer.

They will hunt in packs to take deer. The gathering of the pack around here is noisy, with a lot of yipping until they suddenly go quiet.

[LosDosSloFolks]

@big_load
I like the way they stop yipping all at once. Must take some practice :-) Similar to how a large school of small fish can all change direction instantly and on a dime.

[chumley]

@big_load So I’ve just done some reading on this. Yay! I learned something new today! It seems taking adults is more common in winter in snowy areas. They will prey on fawns everywhere, and anytime, though that has apparently increased quite a bit in recent years too. (I also learned you can’t use “predate” in this context! )

It surprises me because there are no shortage of squirrels in the tri-state area. But perhaps an adult deer is easier to catch and provides a better meal to more yotes.

Back in AZ coyotes have a big competitor in taking fawns from bobcats. And of course lions take adult deer like Christmas candy. Isn’t nature delicious?

[te_wa]

when this coyote starts using roller skates with rockets attached, then i'll be impressed.

[chumley]

@te_wa Maricopa had a press release this week

Public Advisory

Coyotes have a well established desert habitat in and around Maricopa. Sightings are common especially near Tortosa and Palo Brea areas, but it is not uncommon to spot one anywhere in the city.

Typically they are nocturnal, but it is not uncommon to spot them in the early morning hours just after sunrise. Merely seeing one is not a reason to call us as they are native wildlife in Arizona.

However, citizens should report the following potentially dangerous coyote behavior:

* Any coyote observed accepting any deliveries from the Acme Company,

* Any coyote observed lighting the fuse of a rocket,

* Any coyote observed strapped to any rocket,

* Any coyote observed launching itself into the air with a catapult or giant slingshot,

* Any coyote observed dropping an anvil from a hot air balloon,

* Any coyote observed posting any signs such as "Detour" or "Free Bird Seed."

Thank you for your attention and have a safe and happy day!

Your friends at the Maricopa Police Department.

[rcorfman]

@chumley
So Roadrunner has infiltrated the Maricopa PD. Why am I not surprised.