Urban coyotes could be setting the stage for larger carnivores to move into cities [View all]

[DavidDvorkin]

Coyotes are the largest of the mammalian carnivores to have made their way to, and thrived in, urban settings, Gehrt said.

"The coyote is the test case for other animals. Raccoons, skunks, foxes – they've already been able to penetrate the urban landscape pretty well. The coyote is the most recent and largest. The jury's out with what's going to happen with the bigger ones," he said.

The bigger ones include wolves, mountain lions and bears. Mountain lions have been seen on the fringes of cities already, and one was shot near the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-10/osu-ucc100112.php



Okay, Mother Nature. You've made your point. You can stop now.