Officials urge Team Kirtland to use caution around coyotes

  • Published
  • By Danny Monohan
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  The Kirtland Air Force Base Natural and Cultural Resources Office reminds Team Kirtland that the base's more than 52,000 acres is mostly undeveloped and has a large number of coyotes.

"Our coyote population is not out of control yet, but it is growing," said Dustin Akins, cultural and natural resources specialist. "We have natural areas adjacent to base and Albuquerque neighborhoods. These neighborhoods outside of our fenced areas can provide a large food source."

Akins said one of the primary reasons there are so many coyotes on base is because of human behavior.

"We have individuals on- and off-base feeding coyotes," he said. "The people who usually feed the animals do it because they like them. They need to know their actions have negative consequences across the base. Anytime you feed an animal, it can boost population numbers that falsely indicate a very food-abundant habitat."

Akins urges base members to proceed with caution when encountering coyotes.

"We haven't had reports of aggressive coyotes on base, but continued human interaction and feeding will get them to become fearless in the future, and something could happen," said Akins. "If children and pets are outside and a coyote appears, they should go inside. They are especially vulnerable because of their size. Additionally, when domestic animals come into contact with wild animals, disease can spread rapidly."