Coyotes prowling around Bloomington have become enough of a nuisance that the Police Department has sent many residents letters warning of their increased presence.
The animals first came to the city's attention a few weeks ago, when neighbors spotted one picking at a deer carcass in the Hyland Park area, said Deputy Police Chief Vic Poyer. "It was unusual even for that neighborhood that borders on the park to see coyotes traveling back and forth" like that, he said.
Coyotes — called "song dogs" by some for their haunting night music, and pests by the less romantic — are not uncommon in suburban areas, but their presence can be more noticeable in the spring, when their pups are born and food is scarcer.
They can become a problem if they hang around one place or become aggressive, Poyer said. Despite their ubiquity, "they're an animal that doesn't like human contact," he said.
Their numbers have increased in recent years in Minnesota, especially across the state's southern swath, said Steve Merchant, wildlife populations and regulations manager for the state Department of Natural Resources.
Other metro area cities, including Edina, Minnetonka and Apple Valley, have reported problems with coyotes in the past. Like Bloomington, some have posted tips for dealing with the animals on their websites.
"We're just trying to educate the public on how to live in an area where coyotes are around," Poyer said.
The animals easily adapt to new environments and are resourceful foragers. Brush piles and compost heaps that attract rodents and other prey are common draws, he said.
