Wall Street may have its human bulls and bears, but Manhattan has become very popular these days with a real wild animal visitor: coyotes.
(Coyote pounds the pavement; Credit: marya)
Surprised onlookers have recently spotted these wolf relatives in Chelsea, on the Columbia University campus and in many parts of New York City.
This coyote was filmed at "The Pond" in the southeast corner of Central Park.
Paul D. Curtis, Cornell University associate professor of Natural Resources, explains that “coyotes, raccoons and several other wildlife species can be very adaptable. These animals can flourish in urban parks and green spaces, including areas such as Central Park in New York City."
City infrastructure can even facilitate coyote movement.
"There are may greenways, power transmission lines, train tracks and other travel corridors these animals can use to move through highly developed residential areas," said Curtis. "It is not unusual for dispersing coyotes to travel many miles, and coyotes are very common in southern Westchester County."
This canid, also known as the American jackal or prairie wolf, has no plans to leave the Big Apple soon.
"Coyotes have been in Central Park in the past, and will continue to appear in such urban parks and green spaces throughout most of New York State," Curtis said. "People will need to find ways to coexist with urban wildlife to minimize potential conflicts and concerns.”
Tags: Animal Behavior, Animals, Mammals, Video
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