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Increased coyote attacks threaten cattle farms, urban areas on Treasure Coast


Increased coyote attacks threaten cattle farms, urban areas on Treasure Coast. (CBS12){p}{/p}
Increased coyote attacks threaten cattle farms, urban areas on Treasure Coast. (CBS12)

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The threat of coyotes has become a concern for those living on the Treasure Coast, according to a wildlife hunter who is actively trapping and removing coyotes in western St. Lucie County.

"There's not one spot in St. Lucie County where you are further away from a mile from a coyote," said Jason Gerrish, owner of Treasure Coast Wildlife Trappers. "They're just getting a little bit more bold. They're not as afraid of people as they used to be."

There has been a 15 percent increase in reported coyote attacks this year, according to local cattlemen. The increase is enough to catch your attention.

Out in the open, coyotes roam wild, going after calves on cattle farms in rural parts of the county.

"We're checking traps, we're setting traps, and we're tracking the coyotes," Gerrish said. "Coyotes are without a doubt is a difficult animal to catch."

With his wheels in the mud and eyes on the road, he heads out, looking for coyotes daily.

"What's concerning is when the coyotes get bold and they are out in the middle of the day, approaching people when they are approaching pets," Gerrish said.

Cattle ranchers are also feeling the impacts of the coyote attacks.

"A coyote is a cattleman's worst nightmare," Stewart Feketa said. "The impact is just crazy. If you see the decimation of how they eat a calf alive, it's absolutely stomach-turning to see what the poor calf is going through."

The damage is as graphic as it is costly.

"The problem with the coyote is that they come in, literally eat our calves, and take the profit out of what we do here," Feketa said.

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