Coexisting With Nature: Coyotes in Burlington

While Burlington is a suburb to Boston and often feels more like city than country, the 12-square-mile town features 250 acres of protected conservation land and is home to a large variety of wildlife.

Nearly everyone living here has seen wild turkeys roaming around residential streets, deer prancing through meadows, and hawks swooping down in search of bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels, or even backyard chickens.

While those animals don't seem particularly threatening to humans, one animal seems more remarkable than the rest: the coyote.

Coyotes have been forever spotted in Burlington – sometimes at the edges of conservation land, other times walking along streets, and occasionally even making dens on residential property. And in recent weeks, they seem to have become more visible.

According to Burlington Animal Control Officer Jamie Jeffrey, the volume of coyotes hasn't likely increased this year. However, she said, "Spring and summer is the busiest time for wildlife in general. They're at an age where they're fully developed, and they're out learning how to survive."

Jeffrey also pointed out that, as the winter nears, the animals are bulking up in preparation for a period of food scarcity.

Coyotes don't differentiate between wild and domesticated food sources, and there have been incidents this year and in previous years of coyotes approaching and even harming or killing pet dogs and cats, and backyard chickens.

"This is normal coyote behavior," said Jeffrey. "Coyotes are very, very smart. They get to know the routine. So if you let your dog out every day at 7 o', clock, they're watching. They're getting a routine and waiting to move in. It's a food source for them. It's natural what they're doing. They're just trying to survive."

Jeffrey shared some tips to keep humans and domestic pets safe as we share our town with coyotes and other wildlife.

First and foremost, Jeffrey emphasized, its essential to keep cats indoors and dogs on leash, particularly in the hours around dawn and dusk. She clarified that while those are the most active times for coyotes, they might be spotted at other times of day. Even if your yard is fenced, she warns residents to keep an eye on pets while outdoors, as coyotes can jump fences up to six feet high. Ensure chickens and other livestock are secured appropriately, and limit free ranging, especially during those hours (and maybe during any hours, since daytime chicken predators like hawks are common).

If a coyote is following a human at a safe distance, Jeffrey said, it's probably escorting them away from a den. But if the coyote becomes aggressive or comes out of the wilderness into human spaces, it's important to make a lot of noise, make yourself look and sound big and scary, and send the message that, "I'm the dominant one. You don't belong here. You've got to keep moving."

"As a community, we have to work together and haze them," said Jeffrey. "So if there's one neighborhood that is constantly seeing these coyotes, everybody needs to work together. Whenever you see one, make loud noises, be big, bad, and loud, bang some pots and pans."

The only option when dealing with our furry and feathered friends is to coexist, said Jeffrey, as it's illegal to relocate healthy wildlife. However, she outlined several scenarios in which contacting her office would be warranted:

• If coyotes are stalking or approaching children
• When coyotes display aggression toward people (not just boldness)
• If coyotes are attacking humans
• When coyote behavior seems abnormal or particularly concerning

Jeffrey will then work with the environmental police to determine next steps.

Living alongside coyotes may feel unsettling, but they’re simply adapting to the same environment we call home. With awareness, prevention, and cooperation, Burlington residents can keep pets safe, respect wildlife, and ensure a healthier balance between humans and nature.