Although part of our desert landscape, Amy cautioned that if “you are not making it (wildlife) uncomfortable to be there you are sending a message of welcome. A bobcat that becomes too comfortable often becomes a neighborhood problem.”
Of course, her message applies just as well to our urban coyotes.
If you notice a coyote or bobcat in your area, never let it go by without scaring it. Yell or clap loudly to scare wildlife away; carry something with you to make noise, i.e. an air horn or something to throw, like a rock or baseball.
In the long run it’s much safer for us, our pets, and the wildlife as well – if they remain fearful of humans.
Or as Amy puts it, “Keeping wildlife wild starts with you. When we keep wildlife wild, everyone wins.”