The Legacy Of An Urban Coyote

Nature regularly displays her dominance over the domain of man. But all too often man does the damage.

This is a story where Nature is fighting to make inroads.

According to state regulations, a coyote caught near Decatur is considered a pest. But, many now view the urban coyote not as a pest, but as an ally.

It is one of the most hated animals -- reviled for its stealth, for its adaptability, feared over its reputation as a killer of pets and an attacker of people.

That?s not the image they have with wildlife rehabilitator Michael Ellis.

"I think they're amazingly intelligent, adaptable animals,? Ellis said. ?One of the most beautiful animals that we see."

Coyotes are in every county in Georgia, and in every city -- even Atlanta.

They are in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur, where a resident recently spotted one and complained.

?A lot of times people will call, concerned they just saw a coyote in their neighborhood and think there's something wrong,? explained Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologist Don McGowan. ?We try to educate folks that they are part of the landscape now, and just because you see one doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna be a problem."

State policy labels a captured coyote as a potential rabies threat, and as such, has to be euthanized.

"People just don't get an education about them,? explained Ellis, ?So, naturally we fear the things we don't understand."

For every documented coyote attack on a human there are 400,000 dog attacks.

There's an interesting twist to the story about the urban coyote. All wildlife biologists will say that when it comes to their relationships with man, coyotes are a benefit to the environment.

Man has created an environment that is coyote-friendly.

"We create prey animals in urban environments that these coyotes thrive on,? said Ellis. "And that's rats."

Several metro Atlanta communities have decided to treat coyotes as part of their normal wild animal population. And the state Department of Natural Resources is reconsidering its policy of treating coyotes as a nuisance animal.

The young female coyote captured near Decatur will be euthanized on Thursday, a victim of the clash between man and nature -- who, if left alone, could be an ally.

To contact Michael Ellis at A.W.A.R.E (Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort) call: 678-418-1111.