🐾 Coyotes are becoming city dwellers

Coyotes Are Increasingly Moving To The City

Yes, you read that right. A new study from the University of Washington found that coyotes are becoming city slickers. Their population density in Seattle is nine times higher than in rural Washington. There are a number of reasons for this shift, but the number one reason? Food. Apparently, like humans, coyote diets are much more diverse in the city than in rural areas. And all those cute bunnies we have running around here are a prime food source, along with a side of city fruit (berries, etc.). [KNKX]

• It’s not just food: Researchers say that coyotes may feel safer in urban environments because they are protected from predators like wolves and cougars, as well as humans. In rural areas, coyotes tend to prey on livestock and therefore are more likely to be shot and killed by ranchers and farmers. Here in the city, they choose areas with lower density of humans (like the Union Bay Natural Area near UW campus) where they are more likely to be well-fed and live longer. [KNKX]
• Avoiding human-coyote conflict: If you’re like our EP Ashley Smith, maybe you’ve seen a coyote while walking your dog. As these kinds of encounters become more common, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has tips for how to react to coyotes, including encouraging people to never run from them. Instead, you should stand tall, make eye contact, and shout at them. They also suggest “hazing” the coyotes by waving a stick at it, squirting it with the hose, and making loud noises. WDFW says “this 'humane hazing' can help re-establish the coyote’s natural fear of people.” [WDFW]
• Focus on prevention: WDFW encourages feeding dogs and cats indoors, securing backyard chicken coops, and ensuring garbage and compost are secure. They also have tips for building coyote-proof fences and making sure your kids know what to do if they see a coyote nearby. [WDFW]

🏘️ Executive Zahilay announces $19.5 million in new housing: King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has a goal of building 500 new units of housing in his first 500 days in office. On Monday, he proposed a funding package of $19.5 million for permanent affordable housing and transitional shelter. Of that, $5 million will go toward an 80-unit tiny home village in the Central District, and $4 million for 18 two and three-bedroom units in Beacon Hill. [The Urbanist]

🧑🏻‍💻 Microsoft lays off more Washington workers: On Tuesday morning, Microsoft told employees it was cutting 268 roles mostly within its Xbox division. The company has already laid off 605 Washington workers this year and 3,202 people based in Washington last year. Alex Halverson reports the company is grappling with the rising cost of AI-related development and overhiring during the acute days of the pandemic. [Seattle Times]

🩸 Blood samples for STI/HIV testing sent to Texas: As of August 1, the Washington Department of Health (DOH) now requires all contracted prevention partners to send their HIV/STI testing blood samples to a federal facility in Texas. This means forgoing existing partnerships with Public Health King County Labs. DOH says this is because of cost, but trans and queer Seattleites are concerned about personal data collection by federal and Texas state authorities. [Seattle Gay News]