| The infamous 'TriBeCa Coyote' of New York City | | | | Several centuries ago, New York City used to be |
| was caught by police recently, apparently she | | | | a swampy marsh, and the landscape was |
| wasn't clever enough to evade New York's Finest. | | | | covered with trees and a diverse cross-section of |
| Wild animals are staking claim to the concrete | | | | wildlife called this place home; mountain lions, |
| jungle of Manhattan, and residence seem to be | | | | wolves, wild turkey and bears used the area now |
| getting use to seeing white-tailed deer, red-tailed | | | | called Manhattan as their stomping grounds. The |
| hawks, beavers and the wily coyotes; it endears | | | | waterways were a thriving sanctuary for shads |
| most and reminds some that they are still a part | | | | and sturgeon. The Atlantic Flyway bird flew over |
| of nature. TriBeCa's one year old female coyote | | | | New York City en route to the once lush marsh |
| led police over a two-day chase throughout the | | | | lands, which are now tenant buildings or parking |
| neighborhood, she was finally trapped in a parking | | | | lots. However, the unique geographical location of |
| lot, where they shot her with a tranquilizer dart | | | | New York being between northern and southern |
| and took her to the animal control facility in East | | | | climates creates a mild winter, which makes it |
| Harlem. Her fate is unknown, but she wasn't the | | | | easier for many species to survive. |
| only coyote sighted in the year. Coyotes are | | | | No matter which wildlife has rebounded, more |
| thriving in large part to their ability to adapt, and | | | | have declined and New York City will hardly be |
| because their natural predator has almost been | | | | considered a dense, populated forest of centuries |
| eradicated, the wolf. However, several wolves | | | | ago. But, eventually, if not now, New Yorkers will |
| traverse freely in Los Angeles. | | | | have to do some adapting of their own. The |
| The environmental laws, wildlife refuges reserves, | | | | question is though, what sort of adapting is |
| bans on pesticides and tons of city trash has | | | | necessary? Instead of leaving their trash on the |
| given a resurgence of wild life. Once threatened | | | | curb, should they hang their trash from ropes? If |
| species will continue to recover because of | | | | a moose should wander into the city, should New |
| conservation measures, such as the waterways | | | | Yorkers bring out their hunting rifles? Or, should |
| becoming cleaner, and greenways are being built in | | | | they just accept the fact that nature has a way |
| and around the city. Development of faraway | | | | of reminding us, every now and again, that we |
| burbs tear up the land and flush out animals from | | | | aren't the only ones in need of a safe place to live |
| their usual homes, forcing them to adapt or die. | | | | and to raise a family? |