Increasing Coyote Activity And 1 Biting Incident In Northern Idaho Sparks Alarm

Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officials have set up an alarm after reports of increased coyote activity in the far north of the state, with at least one skier suffering minor injuries from an attack by the rouge animal.

In what is described as "highly unusual behavior," coyotes are chasing skiers down slopes in and around Sandpoint in Bonner County since early this month, with the sightings largely concentrated around Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing a statement from IDFG.

In one of the sightings reported as recently as last Thursday, two young coyotes were found wandering around Sandpoint's downtown business district during daylight hours, KREM reported.

One of the coyotes, which was found hunkered down in the back patio area of the 219 Lounge, was captured and dispatched while a search was on for the second.

Officials have now launched efforts to cut down on the sightings and the risk of attacks on humans by trapping and killing the animals, ABC 7 reported. The efforts were joined by the staffers of the Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, as per the outlet.

Meanwhile, the IDFG has issued a warning for patrons to keep their guard up while skiing and contact the agency in case they spot a loose coyote. "Before the coyotes could be located and dispatched, one bit a female skier," the IDFG said in a statement Friday. "Although her injuries were minor, Fish and Game and Schweitzer Mountain Resort took the matter very seriously. Efforts are still underway to trap and dispatch the offending coyotes."

A person who identified herself as the mother of the bite victim commented on the IDFG's post, urging others who were making fun of the coyotes' behavior to take it seriously.

"That was my daughter who was attacked. She was bit in three different places. 52 shots the first day rabies, tetanus and around the multiple puncture wounds with 3 more rabies shots to follow. Please don't take this lightly," she wrote.

It is speculated that the uptick in the sightings is tied to the animals growing increasingly accustomed to human presence, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported, quoting IDGF as saying. It noted that it's unlikely the coyotes in the Sandpoint area are rabid.