Camas is unique, in that we share Animal Control Officers with the neighboring city of Washougal, Washington.
Rick Foster and Bryan Caine handle calls from rounding up stray cattle to locating lost exotic birds. They also help explain the importance of proper care and supervision of pets to new pet owners. They are certainly much more than "dog catchers".
Living with Wildlife
As Camas continues to grow we find ourselves sharing space with coyotes. The public needs to be informed about simple steps to help us coexist.
If you notice an unusual amount of activity in your backyard it could be because of the presence of a food source. This can be as simple as food and water dishes left outside, bird seed that has built up under feeders and fruit that has fallen from fruit trees.
Most coyotes are extremely wary. You will most likely spot a coyote during the hours just after sunset and before sunrise. Coyotes are timid animals and will generally run away if confronted. Remember: any wild animal will protect itself or its young. If a coyote approaches wave your arms, throw stones and shout. Make yourself appear larger. Stand tall if sitting or step on a rock.
To date there have been no documented coyote attacks on humans in Washington State. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports an estimated 50,000 coyotes in the state.
There are great resources available in books and on the Internet:
- Burke Museum’s Mammals of Washington
- Coexisitng with Coyotes
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Conover, Michael. Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The Science of Wildlife Damage Management. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers, 2002.
- Coyote Fact Sheet
