To the best of my knowledge there has never been a coyote sighting in Woodberry Forest. We do have a seemingly healthy population of squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, deer, and the occasional fox. With coyote sightings reported as near as Providence Rd. it is certainly within the realm of possibility that Woodberry Forest could also be visited by coyotes. The following is a statement from the Char/Meck police department:
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Animal Care & Control would like to address recent concerns regarding coyote sightings in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. While we are not the responding agency in the management of wildlife; we do understand the concern and wish to offer safety tips, educational information and guidance to direct the citizens of Mecklenburg County to the correct resources that handle wildlife management.
Coyotes fall under the jurisdiction of North Carolina Wildlife Commission. If you have questions concerning coyotes please contact North Carolina Wildlife Commission at 919-707-0030 or 919-707-0050. North Carolina Wildlife Commission has a biologist assigned to Mecklenburg County. North Carolina Wildlife will contact the biologist if there is a reason for concern. They will not respond to a coyote sighting, as they are indigenous to this area and it is not uncommon to see them.
Animal Care and Control will respond is if your domestic animal attacks, fights with, or is wounded by a wild animal. A report will be filed, however that does not mean that the wild animal will be caught or trapped. If your animals are being attacked, killed, or injured by a coyote you will need to contact both Animal Care and Control and North Carolina Wildlife Commission. To file a report with Animal Care & Control please call 311.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding towns are continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Due to this growth and development we are continuously encroaching on wild animal habitats. With the increase in population and new developments being erected, it is not uncommon for people to see coyotes in an urban area. The coyote has been in Mecklenburg County for the last 20 years. North Carolina is actually one of the last states in the Southeast to be populated by them.
Coyotes in urban areas normally run in a family unit consisting of a female, a male, and their pups. A female may have between 4 to 7 pups in each litter and can reproduce 2 times a year. However, most coyotes will die with in the first three years of life in urban areas. The recent increase in coyote sightings is most likely because it's mating season and they having pups. Coyote sightings usually spike during the Fall because the pups have matured and they are moving out to form their own pack.
The urban coyote's diet mainly consists of small rodents, deer, and fruits. Coyotes are not predators that will attack humans, in most cases they are easily frightened, afraid of humans, will run away if the see a human. Coyotes have been known to attack small dogs or cats, so if you have seen a coyote in your area, protect your pets by keeping them indoors and monitoring them when they are outside.
