Sullivan's Island grapples with escalating coyote encounters, residents call for action

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Coyotes have been living on Sullivan's Island for more than a decade.

Residents say they've noticed an increase in animal sightings during the past several months. Now town leaders and some residents don't know what to do about them.

"I've seen a couple roaming around the path at station 16," said longtime resident Jerry Callahan.

Some Sullivan's Island residents are growing more concerned over signs like these and sightings like this.

READ MORE: "Coyote attacks escalate on Sullivan's Island: Residents urged to exercise caution."

"My neighbor was confronted by four at the same time in broad daylight on one of the beach paths. And a couple of other people have had animals attacked by them in broad daylight," said Callahan.

Town officials say the Department of Natural Resources tells them coyotes have become a part of the area's natural ecosystem thanks to the makeup of the area.

"Sullivan's Island is known as an accreting island, meaning that we have more sand deposited on our beach than we lose. Trees and shrubs have grown up in the accreted land and it's created a habitat for wildlife, not only coyotes but deer, bobcats, rabbits, possums, raccoons, and a whole assortment of wildlife," said Sullivan's Island Town Administrator Andy Benke.

After at least two reported dog attacks in the area, some believe the danger is too great and co-existing isn't an option.

READ MORE: "New video shows pack of coyotes on Sullivan's Island Saturday morning."

"It affects the quality of life that we have out here, and it affects our safety. I think both of those are key priorities for the town," Callahan said.

The town continues to put out coyote traps and signage to combat the problem.

"DNR tells us it's not possible to eliminate coyotes totally, but it does provide at least a temporary relief in the coyotes that we find in high-traffic areas. We rely on the public's input and calls to the police department to alert them. That's not unlike what you see around ponds where you're warned not to feed alligators," Benke adds.

But for some, that's not enough.

"We as citizens don't get the data as to how many traps are out there, how many they've trapped. When you listen to them how at night, there's probably 20 or 30 or more. This time of the year, the females breed six or seven each. So obviously, that's a multiplier effect. It's a pretty big challenge, but it needs to be resolved. I think the level of frustration from residents is growing and that will also contribute to a tipping point. At some point, tourists are gonna have encounters, and that's not gonna make them very happy either," Callahan said.

The Department of Natural Resources says it's best to keep dogs on a leash in areas where coyotes are known to visit, and if you come into contact with one, use hazing techniques, like whistles or horns to scare them off.