The State Museum coyote is free
The coyote ahead of its release back into the wild. / photo: NYS DEC
Good news: The state Department of Environment Conservation says the coyote removed from the State Museum terrace Tuesday has been released back into the wild. There's a photo and video from the release below.
DEC says biologists at the agency's Wildlife Health Unit in Delmar checked out the coyote before the release Wednesday morning and concluded the animal was in good health.
As we noted yesterday, it's not all that surprising that a coyote would turn up around the Empire State Plaza -- they slip through urban and suburban areas often. But finding one hanging out in a place like that during the day is odd. So what happened?
photo: NYS DEC
"Biologists believe the coyote made its way onto the museum mezzanine via the mall stairs while in pursuit of a food source, most likely overnight, and had bedded down to rest in a doorway in the morning when it was spotted," said Benning Delamater, a public information officer with DEC, via email. "Due to the activity in the area in the morning, the coyote was most likely leery of leaving the area and chose to hunker down."
Let's face it, we've all felt that way at times.
There are an estimated 20,000-30,000 coyotes in New York State, according to SUNY ESF. And it's worth mentioning again that it's important for people to not feed coyotes or otherwise get them accustomed to interactions with people, because that's often when human/coyote problems arise.
Here's video of the coyote release today. It's estimated NY has approx 14,500 breeding pairs of coyotes in New York, & not uncommon to see them in suburban and urban areas. Please enjoy viewing wildlife from a distance and never approach a coyote. https://t.co/UgzzK4twft pic.twitter.com/5kS8KYv7c9
— NYSDEC (@NYSDEC) March 28, 2018
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Comments
Thank God I would’ve never made it out to Ravena
... said Jim McGuire on Mar 28, 2018 at 3:40 PM | link
There are tons of bunnies living in the hedges "under" the South Mall arterial, and obviously there is Lincoln Park just behind the Museum, so definitely some critters to chase. I'm just surprised it got to the Plaza with all the entrances and stairs blocked off! Glad to hear it was healthy and safely relocated back to nature.
... said Jeff D on Mar 28, 2018 at 3:45 PM | link
YAY for letting a wild one live.
... said Cat on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:03 PM | link
I used to see Coyotes when I lived in Delmar, but I had No idea they were solidly in Albany. I have not seen any since I moved to Alb. I hope that people will continue to leave them alone so that that we can co-exist. Wonder if the “Urban Coyote Initiative” has heard this story?
... said M Deane on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:09 PM | link
The "expression" on the coyote's face in the crate is exactly the look my dog gives me after she eats something she shouldn't: "Yeah, you caught me, but I'd do it again. Now bring me a snack".
... said CAD on Mar 29, 2018 at 7:54 AM | link
I have nothing against this particular coyote, but I doubt that they can co exist with us in an urban setting. Farther upstate my aunt watched from a window as a coyote loped into the back yard, snatched up her small cat & took off.
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on Mar 29, 2018 at 11:48 AM | link