It seems that the clear, pristine waters and pearly white sands of Siesta Key are irresistible to tourists, locals, and wild canines native throughout North America.
Sightings of the noble coyote, also known as the American Jackal, in Florida have risen in the past few years. Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith said at a Tuesday meeting in Venice that coyote sightings have become prevalent across Sarasota County lately, as growing development affects not only traffic.
The County Commission directed its staff in July to ask the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission what could be done about reports of coyotes on the barrier islands, specifically Siesta Key. The FWC suggested a public meeting with local residents facilitated by a wildlife assistance biologist.
The time and location of the meeting have yet to be determined.
“We might want (the FWC) to expand to other neighborhoods,” Smith said. “As I've heard recently, we have a coyote problem − I'm just gonna guess − in almost every neighborhood in Sarasota County.”
The commissioner said he favored a proactive approach to address the issue, or else residents may resort to their own methods to deal with coyotes, as they may do with nuisance alligators.
