A roaming pack of “wild dogs” inhabits Crown Hill Park in Wheat Ridge, and the Lookout Mountain Nature Center’s junior naturalist group plans to find them.
“Coyotes and foxes are actually what we’re talking about when we say ‘wild dogs,’ ” says Peg Alig, a naturalist with the center who will lead today’s expedition. “We’ll search for tracks, locate dens and learn about the animals’ behavior.”
Designed for children ages 6 through 10, today’s “Wild Dogs” program will take a group of 15 or so kids on the hunt, looking for signs of urban wildlife. Crown Hill Park (near Kipling Street and West 26th Avenue) includes a wildlife refuge as part of its 242 acres, most of which is maintained in a natural state. It makes an ideal oasis for many types of wildlife, including a well-known breeding pair of coyotes and their annual litters of three to 10 pups.
“We may catch a glimpse of the coyotes,” says Alig. “They are fairly active during the day, particularly when it’s colder outside.”
As temperatures drop, the coyotes need to eat more to stay warm, keeping them on a constant hunt for mice, squirrels, voles and anything else they can catch.
Even if the coyotes and foxes stay hidden today during the program, Alig knows she’ll find plenty of evidence of their activities around the park. “Particularly around the den site, we’ll see tracks and scat,” Alig says. The coyotes can often be heard if not seen, and participants will learn about the pack’s communication habits as well.
Although the group’s objective is to seek out signs of the wild canines, the program teaches safety as well. Being surrounded by humans and their dwellings, the coyotes are at risk of becoming overly accustomed to close contact.
“If the animals become habituated to handouts and being fed, it can lead to aggression,” says Alig. Aggression toward people and pets — including hunting cats and occasionally attacking dogs or threatening people — puts the wildlife at risk.
“If there is ever a bite, the wildlife always loses out,” Alig says.
Precautionary measures include items such as a “coyote clacker,” which can be carried during treks through the refuge area. A metal can filled with washers and wrapped in tinfoil, the clacker simply makes a lot of noise to intimidate any animals that stray too close. Another option is a squirt bottle filled with vinegar to ward off aggression.
But problems with the animals are relatively rare, and today’s program is mainly intended to be both fun and educational. Kids and parents can participate in games, crafts and other activities designed to teach the public more about these fascinating animals.
“Coyotes are some of the most misunderstood urban residents,” Alig says. “They’re very smart and adaptable, so they can live anywhere and be successful.”
“Wild Dogs” takes place at 10 a.m. today at Crown Hill Park in Wheat Ridge. The monthly Junior Naturalists series is free to the public; register in advance by calling the Lookout Mountain Nature Center at 720-497-7600.
