The Recreation Centers of Sun City West is excited to be partnering on a project designed to bring greater understanding of and harmony with the larger wildlife living in our community.
The “Watching Carnivores” project is led by Claire Musser, project manager and executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. Musser also is a post-graduate research student at Falmouth University, and is spearheading the community science initiative to evaluate ways to ensure peaceful coexistence with urban carnivores. The project will use information provided by residents about their sightings of carnivores within Sun City West to find patterns in behavior. These sightings can be in-person or on remote cameras.
Residents are asked to participate in the project by reporting their carnivore sightings or interactions. The project is expected to last about a year, and may result in a documentary about urban carnivores, Musser said.
Residents can send details on their sightings and interactions in several ways:
- TEXT: Send photos, videos and information to 480-269-6834
- CALL: leave a message with information at 480-269-6834
- EMAIL: Send photos, videos and information to claire@connectionsforcoexistence.org
- DIGITAL REPORTING: Posters at each of the Rec Centers’ facilities have a QR code that can be scanned and will bring up the reporting form, which can be filled out online.
Musser asks that residents provide the following information when reporting a sighting or interaction:
- Name: (optional)
- Species: coyote, bobcat or other
- Location: Address or nearest landmark/cross streets
- Date/Time: Date and approximate time of interaction.
- Was this a Sighting or Encounter: A sighting is an observation at a distance with no interaction, such as nighttime security camera photos. An encounter is an interaction at close range.
- Observations, comments and/or concerns: What did the animal look like? Was the animal alone? What was the animal doing? What did you feel/do?
- Contact details (optional): If you are willing, include your contact details and the team can contact you about the sighting.
More information about the project can be found at connectionsforcoexistence.org
My wife and I are definitely interested in assisting with the project. For the past 30 years, we’ve been volunteer docents and keeper assistants at the Denver Zoo, close to 20 years with USFWS conducting biological studies at several Refuges, including the National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY. We worked with the zone biologist tracking wolves, monitoring swan nesting and invasive vegetation documentation. We are currently volunteering with AZGFD as needed with their Desert Tortoise Adoption program. And for 30 years, we’ve been involved with the education of students from Pre-K to College level discussing wildlife in our region, especially reptiles. Our passions and experiences have revolved around wildlife for our 56 years of marriage.
We have an 8 lb Havanese dog so we watch carefully on our walks for coyotes and bobcats. We have seen several over the 13 winters that we have spent in Sun City West. We never take our pup out into our yard unleashed. We have a digital video taken at 0655 on April 6, 2018 of a coyote taking an orange from our backyard tree and devouring it in about 2 bites. There were 2 at the time but the video only shows 1.
As an aside we are very cautious with our small dog but we do very much enjoy seeing both species on our walks or in our yard/neighbourhood.
since we moved into sun city west in 2017 and shortly afterwards set up video security cameras we have a massive amount of videos taken, also pictures during daytime when they venture across our front, back and patio areas. These are of coyotes, bobcats, javelinas and raccoons.
So many neighbors have lost pets to coyotes consequently, most residents believe they are just opportunists who hunt and kill anything they can capture. With the wash to our east, it creates an animal / coyote freeway allowing them to come and go as they please. With no measures taken by the association to reduce the coyote population as they do in farming areas, the coyotes have free reign. If your study will reduce the coyote/ bobcat population within the community then thank you. However, if you are asking us to embrace the traveling pet killers, then your efforts would be best taken to the mountains where these animals belong.
Well said Terry Burks.
Sorry that you feel that way. We are the usurpers; nature was here 1st. Personally, I enjoy seeing coyotes and bobcats as they move around our community and reduce the rabbit population.
I welcome the study to find ways to better understand NOT to eliminate.
Would I allow my toddler grandchild to run around unaccompanied in a park or air-conditioned mall? No; there are too many 2-legged predators looking for the opportunity to abscond with a child. Similarly, would I let my dog/cat outdoors on their own in SCW? No, again. With the increased development in the Valley the native wild animals have had to adapt. As someone who has grown up with animals of many types, resided at times in various rural areas, and travelled in the outdoors, I enjoy seeing native “wild” animals, and yet, I won’t throw caution to the wind. When I walk my neighbor’s small lap dog, he’s on a leash and I put away the cell phone and pay attention to my surroundings. As for the coyotes, with common sense these animals should be able to exist without being feared and demonized. I look forward to participating in this program any time I see a coyote (have not been fortunate yet to see a bobcat) and hope to see a growing, positive co-existence between the wild creatures and community.
Well 2 legged predators and coyotes were mentioned by Chris. It seems to me they are both dangerous. Never lived anywhere that 4 legged animals that are predators lived among us. Not sure why it’s ok here?
You might consider how long it would take the rabbit population to overrun the area if there were no predators. Probably rats and other vermin also. Be careful what you wish for.