DETROIT – Coyote sightings on Belle Isle are creating some buzz, and the experts are weighing in.
“There’s a population here, and I think that people are just now noticing it,” said Tom Bissett with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Social media videos have been circulating, showing coyotes on Belle Isle.
Mid-January through March is peak coyote season in Michigan, so people may also spot them in their backyards.
“If you see a coyote, there may be one or two,” Bissett said., “They’re kind of a family animal, but they’re not a pack animal.”
Bissett answered some of the commonly asked questions they get when it comes to coyote sightings.
“You don’t have to worry about yourself, but if you were to walk out with a small toy poodle or something like that, keep it on a leash because they may see that smaller animal as prey,” Bissett said.
If you encounter a coyote, Bissett recommends making noise and waving your arms to scare them away.
Having a fenced-in and well-lit yard will also help deter coyotes.
Experts also recommended keeping pet food inside to avoid attracting coyotes.