JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. —
The Joint Base Charleston-Air Base coyote depredation program concluded on the Air Base Jun. 16.
A total of two coyotes were trapped by a trained United States Department of Agriculture contractor on the Air Base in a designated trapping area adjacent to family housing and the Base Exchange. Four coyotes were discovered deceased on the Air Base Wrenwoods Golf Course for a total of six coyotes.
After careful consideration, it was deemed necessary to neutralize a small number of coyotes to ensure the safety of our base personnel and resources. The intent is to deter them from inhabiting populated areas of Joint Base Charleston.
All measures taken were conducted by a trained U.S. Department of Agriculture representative and accomplished in accordance with state and federal laws and the Coyote Biology and Control guidelines issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
All foothold trapping was accomplished in a publicized designated area on the Air Base marked with warning signs and accomplished in such a way as to avoid any people or pets from entering the designated trapping area.
Coyotes are known carriers of canine distemper, parvo virus, hepatitis, mange and rabies, all of which can be transmitted to other animals and humans. In an effort to ensure the safety of base residents, non-lethal measures such as education to housing residents, eliminating food sources and live trapping were implemented. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful in controlling the coyote population.
The installation is home to various wildlife and multiple ecosystems across 23,000 acres. We take environmental conservation seriously as Department of Defense employees. Over the last year, we have seen an increased number of coyotes entering the family housing areas. These sightings prompted Joint Base Charleston officials to mitigate the threats to young children and small pets living and playing in base housing areas. The coyote depredation program could be a recurring program over the future based on additional coyote sightings.
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