2 days ago
Coyote sightings increasing on Tybee Island
TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WSAV) – Coyote sightings are increasing on Tybee Island since WSAV first reported in early June.
'I was shocked to pull up on this animal, this beautiful wild animal,' said Stu Putman, who sent us a video taken June 2 of a coyote trotting around his North End neighborhood in the nighttime.
The animal is being seen mostly on the north side of the island.
'A couple of days ago I was driving home and pulled into my neighborhood, which is on the North End, and there it was,' said Putman. 'I thought it was a dear because they have very long noses, and their ears are on top of their heads like a dear, but from the video, you can see it's a coyote.'
As chatter is increasing about the recent sightings Putman alerted his neighbors.
'I'm in a homeowner's association on the North End, and I put out an email, and I attached the video, and most of the emails that came back were worried neighbors,' he said.
Although city officials told WSAV the animal is not a threat, though people and pets should still keep a distance, the chatter is hinted with unease.
'I would say on average Tybee is a little worried about having coyotes on the island,' said Putman.
In 2023 when coyotes were inhabiting the island in packs, the city's hired trapper eventually took them to a DNR approved wildlife preserve after the city faced backlash for trapping and euthanizing them to prevent rabies transmission.
The relocation was considered a 'last resort.'
Tybee Island Mayor Brian West told WSAV Friday that the city currently does not have a plan for coyotes considering the recent sightings.
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