LANE COUNTY, Ore. — A surge in coyote sightings at Howard Buford Recreation Area at Mount Pisgah has prompted Lane County Parks to euthanize at least one coyote after officials said the animals’ behavior changed in ways that raised safety concerns for visitors and pets.
The park welcomes more than 600 thousand visitors each year and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Lane County Parks said that over the past two months, the frequency of coyote sightings in the park increased dramatically, with more than 30 sightings reported in January alone.
Officials said the nature of the encounters has also shifted. Coyotes have been reported following people and dogs, not showing fear when people try to chase them off, and approaching people and vehicles in a way that suggests begging for food…