River Mountains Loop Trail

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WARNING: Coyote Alert Along Trail Continues

October 23, 2009 – We have another alert!

This past weekend two different reports were received by bicyclist about being chased by a large coyote near the southeast corner of the SNWA Water Treatment plant (mile marker 3.5 to 4.0). This is where the trail takes a sharp 90 degree turn.  Henderson Animal control and Nevada Wildlife have been notified.  In order to pinpoint this “one” bad apple coyote we need more reports detailing where, date, and time. DO NOT go looking for this guy, but if seen or you encounter an aggressive coyote along the trail please report it.  Numbers are list below.  Also please call Trail Watch at 702-267-4050 and provide above information.

 

Coyote NPS file photo 2009

NPS Coyote file photo 2009

September 10, 2009 – We have been getting reports of  coyote sightings along the trail over the past week or two during early morning hours in Henderson.  At least one report indicated that the coyote was large and aggressive toward the trail user….”It chased him on his bike..”  The entire trail is in a rural/urban setting which is home to many wild animals including the coyote. Generally coyotes are afraid of humans and will shy away. Unfortunately our neighborhoods are intertwined with “Mr. Coyote” and he has gotten very use to living among us. He enjoys eating our garbage, our dog/or cat pet food on the patio, our cats and small dogs, and he has mostly lost fear of man.  IF CONFRONTED BY A COYOTE ON THE TRAIL ,WAVE YOUR ARMS, YELL/SHOUT, THROW ROCKS AND EXIT THE AREA.

Coyote in wild file photo 2009

Here is what is posted on City of Henderson Animal Control website:

 Urban Wildlife including coyotes should be handled by the Nevada Division of Wildlife, but they seldom are able to respond due to staff and budget shortages. Animal Control does not handle wildlife unless the animals become a Public Safety issue. If a coyote or coyotes are causing an immediate threat to citizens of Henderson, please call Henderson Animal Control at 702-267-4970 ext. 4 during our normal working hours. After hours if there is a life threatening human emergency, please call 911 for a Police/Animal Control response. Coyotes are common throughout Henderson and are seen most frequently at early evening, night and early morning hours cruising through various neighborhoods. Please keep your cats and small dogs indoors! Coyotes will usually leave by themselves unless they are challenged or cornered. For additional general information, please contact Animal Damage Control at 702-668-4565.

Here are some safety tips regarding coyotes:

  1. DO NOT FEED COYOTES!
  2. DO NOT LEAVE PET FOOD OUT WHERE COYOTES CAN FIND IT!
  3. DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE OUTDOORS OVER NIGHT IN OPEN CONTAINERS…PUT A LID ON IT!
  4. KEEP DOGS ON SHORT LEASH WHEN WALKING! (A leash is required when walking the trail)
  5. SCARE COYOTES OFF WHEN SEEN OR ENCOUNTERED!

do not feed animals sign unk

Coyote photo gallery:

Comments

  1. rmltman says

    I found a lot of information on the web about coyote attacks on dogs and people. Seems that man and coyote are at war all over the western Untied States, and that man is 95% at fault per various articles.

  2. rmltman says

    During our trails day event Saturday I heard two more coyote stories from the River Mountains Ranch Estates area near the trail….
    ….1). lady walking early morning saw two coyotes come out of a side yard and starting following her? Neighbor saw the incident and picked her up in her car….
    ….2). Friend of mine live across the road from the trail….sees coyotes all times of the day on the trail or near it. Says they are coming down for water as much as anything. They use to run when we were out and about, but now they just stand and watch us….
    NEED TO MAKE NOISE, THROW ROCKS AT THEM, SCARE THEM OFF, THEY ARE GETTING TOO USE TO HUMAN ENCOUNTERS!!!

  3. rmltman says

    I just posted a news article from The Canadain Press about a coyote attack in Nova Scotia Park that resulted in the death of a 19 year old women hiking alone. This appears to be the first fatal attack reported.
    I heard a report this last week that people along the River Mountains are feeding coyotes and wild animal. Please see the photo posted about “Do NOT Feed Wild animals”.

  4. rmltman says

    This past saturday Nov. 28th a friend of mine walked up to the “B” on hill. As he crossed the trail heading cross coutry he noticed movement off to his right….several coyotes were parallel his track to the “B”. What did he do? He ran at them and they ran off…disapppeared. This aoccurred near MM 5.5.