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City of Seattle
Mike McGinn, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: USDA Agrees Not To Act Against Discovery Park Coyote
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
1/31/2008 12:27:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joelle Ligon (206) 233-7929
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USDA Agrees Not To Act Against Discovery Park
Coyote
Parks to hold "Living with Wildlife" Open House
After a meeting with Seattle Parks and Recreation on Wednesday evening, the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed not to take any action
against the coyote in Discovery Park at this time. In addition, the USDA will
continue discussions with the US Navy about the need - or lack thereof - to
trap the animal.
Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages the peaceful co-existence of urban
wildlife and human communities. Toward that end, Parks will hold a "Living
with Wildlife" Open House on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Magnolia
Community Center, 2550 34th Avenue W.
"Our hope is that we can change the behavior of humans living in and around
the park and that will cause the coyote to change his behavior," said Tim
Gallagher, Parks Superintendent.
Discovery Park naturalists say that coyotes have lived in the area since the
City took over the former military base in 1971, and believe that there is more
than one coyote living in the park.
"Coyotes, along with many other species, are very much a part of the urban
wildlife scene," said Discovery Park Naturalist Penny Rose. "Living
with wildlife is possible if citizens take simple steps to properly manage their
property and pets to prevent encounters with coyotes and other wild animals."
The "Living with Wildlife" Open House will feature Seattle Parks
and Recreation naturalists, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), the
Woodland Park Zoo, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the
Seattle Animal Shelter and other wildlife experts.
For more information about coyotes in Washington, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm.
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Seattle Parks and Recreation
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