Sullivan’s Island saw increase in Coyote calls last year

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Coyote calls on Sullivan’s Island are being made more frequently than in years past.

Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows said they only received five calls about coyotes in 2022. But that number jumped to 52 last year.

Concerns regarding an increase in coyote sightings and incidents were brought up during a Sullivan’s Island Town Council meeting on Tuesday night.

“The state of South Carolina, the Department of Natural Resources will tell you that it’s important to learn to live with coyotes- that it’s really not possible to eliminate them in your community, in your county, and certainly in the state,” said Sullivan’s Island Town Administrator Andy Benke.

Benke estimated three dogs were bit and one was killed by coyotes last year.

Starting May 1 through the summer, dogs are not permitted on the beach after 10:00 a.m. But one community member who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting suggested extending that to noon, saying the attacks seem to happen in the morning.

“I’m not sure how extending the hours solves the interaction with coyotes when a dog is not leashed, so we’ll have to look at that and kind of vet that suggestion to see where it goes,” said Benke.

Chief Meadows shared how many coyote calls dispatch has received over the last few years. There were four calls in 2021, five in 2022, and the number spiked to 52 in 2023. There have been 11 so far this year.

“We’re seeing more visitors to the island, and more people means more opportunities for that type of encounter with coyotes,” said Chief Meadows.

Most of the calls were for sightings or encounters. According to the chief, 13 of the calls last year were for interactions, which means the coyote makes an approach.

Chief Meadows said the department has encouraged community members to call if they see coyotes to help with trap placement.

“I think the word spread, and we started getting more calls for that reason as well,” he said.

The town does put traps out; however, leaders say they have not been very productive. Chief Meadows said there have not been any attacks on humans, and the dogs that were attacked were off-leash.

Officials say if you see a coyote to make nose and scare the animal off. They also suggest keeping dogs on the leash.