From Chester County backyards to the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, these sightings have triggered official reminders for residents to keep a close eye on small pets and children, especially during the twilight hours.
1. The Brazen Behavior
In recent weeks, homeowners have shared striking doorbell camera footage of predators pacing across porches and sniffing at back doors. In December 2025, residents in the Wissahickon Valley area of Philadelphia and parts of Westmoreland County reported coyotes and fishers wandering through well-lit driveways in broad daylight.
Unlike the shy, forest-dwelling animals of the past, these predators are becoming increasingly habituated to suburban life. Officials note that some coyotes have been spotted lounging in public parks during high-traffic hours, while fishers—fierce members of the weasel family once thought extinct in the state—are being caught on camera “stalking” bird feeders in search of squirrels.
2. Why the Sudden Incursion?
Wildlife biologists point to several factors driving this brazen behavior during the winter months:
- The Urbanized Coyote: Pennsylvania’s coyote population has successfully adapted to human-dominated landscapes. Suburbs offer a “buffet” of easy meals, including outdoor pet food, fallen birdseed that attracts rodents, and an overabundance of white-tailed deer.
- The Return of the Fisher: After a successful reintroduction program, fishers are rapidly expanding their range. These aggressive hunters are now appearing in suburban “edge” habitats where they haven’t been seen in over a century.
- Winter Calorie Needs: As temperatures drop, predators must consume more calories to survive. This drives them to take higher risks, leading them closer to homes where food sources are more concentrated.
3. The “Sitting Duck” Risk for Pets
The Pennsylvania Game Commission warns that small dogs and outdoor cats are essentially “sitting ducks” for these opportunistic hunters. Fishers, despite their small size, are incredibly strong and capable of taking down prey larger than themselves, while coyotes are notorious for snatching pets directly from unfenced yards…