Program to reduce coyote population in base housing

  • Published
  • By 377th Civil Engineer Squadron
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Officials in the 377th Civil Engineer Squadron are taking measures to control the coyote population on Kirtland Air Force Base, beginning Sept. 3, with the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service -- Wildlife Services.

Base officials hope the coyote control program will reduce the number of coyotes in base housing and the risk they pose to residents.

Live traps will be set in residential areas of the base. Residents are encouraged to stay away from these traps and to keep pets and kids under close supervision to ensure they don't come in contact with the traps or predatory animals.

"This is not something we want to do," said Pat Montano, environmental management section chief in the 377th Civil Engineer Squadron. "But after a while, urban coyotes lose their fear of humans, and interactions with residents on base become more common. We've seen an increase in the number of reports relating to coyotes preying on family pets, but threats to humans, particularly children, are not impossible."

Montano said urban coyotes tend to get more aggressive as their population grows and competition for food sources increases.

Coyotes will be baited into the live traps and removed by wildlife services.
Residents who experience interaction with coyotes should report the incident directly to CE by calling Dustin Akins at 846-0226, or by email at Dustin.Akins@kirtland.af.mil.