West Springfield Middle School trail closes after coyote sighting
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A trail behind West Springfield Middle School was closed on Saturday after a coyote was seen in its den.
The town of West Springfield received reports Saturday evening. At around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, the West Springfield Police Department notified residents on social media that the coyote was protecting her new pups and was aggressive.
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Massachusetts Environmental Police is asking the community to stay away from the animal and the area. It is not known at this time when the trail will reopen.
The eastern coyote is a well-established species throughout the state, except on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It is a medium sized predator and adaptable to a wide range of habitats, capable of thriving in suburban, urban, and rural areas.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, coyotes will utilize whatever food is naturally available, such as small animals, birds, insects, and fruits, as well as garbage, pet food, and compost.
Female coyotes typically weigh around 33 to 40 pounds, while males may weigh around 34 to 47 pounds. Their thick fur can often make them look larger and heavier. Breeding season peaks in mid-February, and coyotes will give birth to four to eight pups in April or May. The pups will typically stay with their parents until late autumn.
Eastern coyotes are naturally afraid of people as long as they do not spend a lot of time around them or regularly feed on human-associated food. There are several simple steps residents can take to avoid conflict with coyotes and prevent coyote habituation.
Remove bird feeders, as coyotes not only consume bird feed and suet, but they also prey upon birds and squirrels that are attracted to the feeders.
Secure garbage and compost in tough plastic containers with tight-fitting lids in secure buildings. Take trash out when morning pick-up is scheduled, not the night before.
Protect produce and livestock with fencing at least six feet high.
Protect your pets by feeding them indoors and keeping them leashed while outdoors. Do not supervise them from a distance. Coyotes may view cats and small dogs as potential food sources and large dogs as competition.
People are also encouraged by MassDEP to aggressively haze coyotes that are exhibiting bold behavior towards humans. This behavior teaches coyotes to avoid people and neighborhoods. You can haze a coyote by moving towards it while waving your arms and clapping, making loud noises, or spraying a hose or throwing small objects in the coyote's direction.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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