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Coyote Sightings in Chattanooga

1,379 views · Published 25 April 2013 · 2:04 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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By Drew BolleaThis is the time of year Coyotes become territorial and emerge from their homes during daylight hours. It is their mating season and officials with the Chattanooga Nature Center are collecting information to better inform the public about the Coyote presence. It has a bushy tail, long snout, pointy ears, and usually a reddish brown color, said Jeremy Hooper, describing an urban coyote. He is an Asst. Wildlife Curator and Educator with the Chattanooga Nature Center. He's been alerted of  4 sightings since Monday. When they see people for the most part, they run, said Hooper, which is a good sign that means they are worried about people. The sightings center around districts two and nine near Lupton City and Hixson. Hooper says sighting reports are essential to his work. The help me get an idea of where coyotes are being seen so we can focus our education efforts there, said Hooper, we can watch those areas and we can communicate with those folks.People like Fairfax Heights Homeowners Association President Mark Mullins. I have had reports from my neighbors that they have seen coyotes and more often, they've heard them, said Mullins.Coyotes aren't a cause for panic, but rather an animal you need to be aware of.The ones with small pets, cats, small dogs, they are worried a little bit about it, said Mullins.If you're going to put your pet out there at that time you should be with them and on a leash, said Hooper, offering advice.  Hooper says the biggest reason they wander near where humans are.. is that people unintentionally feed them.There was 150 coyotes collard in this one study and of the 150 only five turned out to be nuisance animals, said Hooper, of those five, they had all been fed by people.Coyotes aren't all bad. They do control the rodent and feral cat population. Folks need to see them less as a threat and more as a part of nature.Just learn to live with the wildlife, said Mullins. To report a sighting CLICK HERE

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