Town of Nahant Provides Update on Removal of Problem Coyotes

NAHANT – The Board of Selectmen wishes to provide the following update about its ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of habituated coyotes in the community.

In early December the Board authorized Town Administrator Antonio Barletta to enter into a Cooperative Service Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services to conduct a wildlife management project. This decision followed followed in-depth discussions with wildlife management expert Dave Wattles of Mass Wildlife.

The Town’s goal is to eliminate habituated coyotes that have been aggressive toward residents, and thus increase public safety. A habituated coyote has lost its natural fear of humans; not all coyotes are habituated.

The town has received multiple complaints about interactions between coyotes and humans, and is aware of three incidents in which a coyote attacked a pet under control of its owner while on a leash. In the fall several residents reported being surrounded by a pack of aggressive coyotes while they were walking with their pets.

It is believed that six to 12 coyotes are in Nahant, more than what Mass Wildlife considers typical for a one-square-mile suburban environment.

The town has faced numerous challenges in attempting to limit the impact of habituated coyotes:

• Trapping coyotes is extremely difficult. According to Mass Wildlife, the box cage trap, the only legal trap for coyotes in Massachusetts, has successfully trapped just three coyotes during the last 10 years across the state.
• State law sets strict limits on where hunting may be allowed. Nahant’s density almost entirely precludes this option.
• State law does not allow relocation of aggressive coyotes.

The Cooperative Services Agreement allowed for three visits by trained rifle experts from Wildlife Services. Their equipment includes night-vision, thermal-imaging scopes, and spotlights. All activities are allowed under special permit from Mass Wildlife.

Wildlife Services experts have visited Nahant twice since November, and have removed one coyote. Since the management program started, the Town has received no reports of aggressive behavior by coyotes toward humans or leashed animals.

However, the impact full of the management project is not clear at this time.

Therefore, the Town and USDA have agreed to extend the Agreement for one year, starting March 1, should additional wildlife management be required.

The Town reminds residents that coyote pupping season peaks in March, and that coyotes can become particularly territorial and aggressive during this time.

“Countless communities across the state face issues with habituated coyotes and problem animals, and the other legal options are not effective,” Board Chairman Gene Canty said. “As a board we will continue to educate residents on the importance of coexisting with coyotes as we work toward finding a balance that maintains public safety.”