Officials in Madeira Beach say several residents have reported seeing a
wild coyote wandering through neighborhoods in the small beach community. While coyote sightings are not unusual in the central and northern parts of Florida, seeing them on the beaches of the Gulf Coast, while rare, is becoming more common.
Coyotes are not large animals and rarely pose a threat to people, especially adults. They can be curious but are also timid and generally run away if challenged. If a coyote approaches too closely, there are methods you can use to deter it and frighten it away. Hazing the animal by making loud noises and acting aggressively will typically cause a coyote to leave an area, but you may need to increase and continue hazing efforts until the coyote is effectively deterred and leaves the area for good.
Never feed coyotes either intentionally or unintentionally. This includes placing food outside to attract wildlife. Clean up pet food, fallen fruit, and seed around bird feeders. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will be drawn to and eat all of these potential food sources. Secure garbage cans and compost. Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds to prevent coyotes and other animals from resting or raising their young in areas around your home.
Coyotes can and do prey on domestic cats and small dogs. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening or morning hours (dusk and dawn). To protect your pets, do not allow them to roam freely. Keep cats indoors. Free-roaming cats are at a high risk of being preyed on by coyotes and other animals. Walk small dogs on a short leash that is less than six feet, especially at night, dusk or dawn. Be extra careful if you are going to walk your pet in wooded areas or areas that have heavy foliage, where coyotes may rest.
You can report a coyote sighting to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by calling the FWC Southwest Regional Office in Lakeland at 863-648-3200 or 888-404-3922. For more information contact Curt Preisser, City of Madeira Beach Public Information Officer at
727-391-9951 x299 or cpreisser@madeirabeachfl.gov.
Feb 27th 2021 We are staying at the Thunderbird Beach Resort and it was about 11:00pm. We were on our deck overlooking the beach we watched a coyote for approx 20 minutes run from one grassy area to the next. When people were on the boardwalk he would slink into the grassy area and wait. He then ran off into the wooded longer grass area to the east. We will be watching for him the rest of our stay to see if we spot him again
August 6 around 2 am , chilling on the beach then out of no where a coyote walking the beach lol .. stops and looks at me then kept running down Madeira beach