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Audubon Biologist Urges Nonlethal Steps to Reduce Coyote Conflicts on James Island
Summary
An Audubon South Carolina biologist told the council coyotes are expanding into neighborhoods and recommended nonlethal mitigation: secure trash and compost, reinforce coops, keep cats indoors, avoid leaving pet food outside, and use noise/aversive tactics; biologist warned that trapping and lethal control can increase coyote numbers over time.
Jennifer Tyrell, community science and research program manager for Audubon South Carolina, told the council that coyotes are becoming more visible on James Island because of changing habitat, reduced predators and human food sources. She emphasized that most coyotes are shy of humans but will be attracted by accessible food like compost, pet food left outdoors and poorly secured coops.
Tyrell told the council that long‑term control through trapping or removal is not effective and can create a territorial vacuum that causes higher reproduction. "When you trap or euthanize coyotes, you actually make a space in the population... they breed more," she said. Her practical recommendations to residents included securing dumpsters and compost, reinforcing chicken coops, keeping cats indoors, and using noise/aversive measures (air horns, pots and pans) to create a negative interaction so coyotes avoid yards. She also urged residents to report aggressive coyotes to authorities for targeted removal. Council members asked whether Audubon had local population counts; Tyrell said she had no precise numbers but cited tracking studies on nearby islands indicating established territories and seasonal movement.
