Wildlife News: Coyotes, Bears, Fisher Cats, Raccoons

In the last three weeks, two lambs and two calves have been taken by coyotes at a farm operating on land behind Gibbet Hill leased by Paula Robinson of Springdell Farm in Littleton, according to George Moore who shares duties of Groton's animal control officer with Tom Delaney, Groton's Director of Public Works.

Although there has been recent talk of the dangers of coyotes crossbreeding with dogs and even wolves, creating a more dangerous predator, Animal Control officer Tom Delaney dismisses such fears as overblown. He says such crossbreeding does not seem to establish a permanent change in coyote populations, cross-bred coyote populations reverting to typical coyote behavior quickly.

George Moore said coyotes do not generally hunt in packs, but that at this time of year, while teaching their young to hunt, coyotes travel as a family unit of mother, father and four to eight young. After young coyotes are grown, the family disbands and they hunt solo, he said.

Sometimes, when there is a large source of food, such as the farming operation on Angus Hill, two or three family units of coyotes will hunt together while the young learn hunting skills. George noted that coyotes occasionally attack small dogs but that generally homeowners need to worry more about their cats being prey of coyotes. He further noted that coyotes have territory of about 20 to 25 miles each and they constantly roam, so that once you see them, you might not see them again for a few days.

Bears, Fisher Cats & Raccoons

George Moore noted the many sightings of bears this year, but said there have been few, if any sightings, with cubs. He estimates there are "five or six resident bears in Groton" and said the animal control office has received no reports of dangerous human-bear interaction, but warns residents to be prudent, to not feed the bears and to not get too close if taking pictures, saying that male bears weigh about 300 pounds.

He noted that fisher cats and raccoons make raising chickens in Groton difficult, but said - without much conviction - that he felt he had finally 'raccoon proofed' his own chicken coop. 'More than half the calls we get are about wildlife,' George said, noting that a typical call came from a woman saying there were three foxes in her driveway and wanting to know if it was safe to let her cats out. . .

Finally, he said, "I've always loved wildlife . . . I tell people to worry more about ticks and mosquitoes than wildlife."