Due to many coyote sightings in San Joaquin de Flores Canton, Heredia Province, the township advises residents to take preventive steps to protect themselves and avoid harming these wild animals.

Authorities reported coyotes have been recently seen wandering in the neighborhoods around Flores Regional High School and on the streets near the local cemetery.

The wild mammals were eating human-related food, including garbage, and walking around the neighborhood's streets, according to the Flores Municipality statement.

To avoid potential animal attacks, officials issued a statement urging residents to be cautious if they encounter coyotes and not to hurt, feed, or hunt them.

Reports of wild animals roaming urban areas should be informed via 911. According to authorities, the capture of the coyotes will be handled by trained professionals from the National System of Wild Areas Conservation (Sinac).

Over the weekend, Sinac professionals rescued a male coyote found in an open area in Dulce Nombre Canton, Cartago Province.

The rescue crew found the coyote with several injuries. The wild animal may have been run over and was unable to move, they added.

The coyote was taken to the Veterinary Hospital of the National University in Heredia.

According to Antonio Orozco, a Sinac representative, the presence of coyotes in urban areas is because their natural prey, such as raccoons and squirrels, are more adapted to suburban settings.

Costa Rica's coyote population consists primarily of the Canis latrans Mearnsi subspecies, commonly known as the Central American coyote, with dark reddish coloring and short muzzles.

The coyote has a highly adaptable social structure, living in either a family unit or loosely knit groups of unrelated individuals.

They are predominantly carnivorous, eating rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, however, they may occasionally consume fruits and vegetables.

Humans are the coyote's primary threat, followed by big wild cats such as cougars and pumas.

Recently and given to reports on crocodile sightings and attacks on pets, officials advise beachgoers to exercise caution when visiting the country's coastal areas.

The National System of Wild Areas Conservation (Sinac), is the state-owned agency in charge of managing all national parks and protected areas in the country.

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