An informational meeting will be held Thursday night in Biddeford to help educate residents about the coyote population in the area.

Education is the proper response, and hopefully residents can learn how to deal with these wild neighbors and avoid taking action such as killing the animals simply because they are in the area.

Two residents, Kim and Gary Boisvert, sent an email on Dec. 29 to a number of people following a meeting about the issues two days earlier. In the email, the couple said that coyotes have now become “desensitized” to humans and are not easily scared off. They also suggested the coyotes will turn on people, as some pets in the area have gone missing or been killed, they said, and added that “relocating them is not an option.”

It seems, however, there’s no evidence to the claims that coyotes will start to attack people.

Conservation biologist Geri Vistein, at a meeting with Biddeford city officials last week, said coyotes have a very low rate of rabies and that attacks on humans by coyotes are very rare.

Hunters are already able to hunt coyotes in this state, granted they have a permit. They can even obtain a coyote night hunting permit, which allows people to hunt coyote at night from Dec. 16 through Aug. 31.

Studies have shown that hunting and trapping have not significantly limited coyote populations in this country. In a report on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website, the authors wrote that coyote populations are very resilient to mortality and that it is difficult to limit them through human exploitation. The report went on to say that “extensive coyote trapping and eradication measures in western states have failed to control coyote populations over large areas.”

That’s why education about “hazing,” which was discussed by Vistein at last week’s meeting, is likely the best way to prevent coyotes from snagging pets and hanging around residential areas.

Although coyotes prey on other wild animals, they also eat bird food and pet food that is left outside. It is important for people to keep pet food inside, and if they have seen coyotes in their area, removing bird feeders and making sure trash is secure will help eliminate any food sources to which the animals are attracted.

These types of things are common sense, and will help prevent predators in general from hanging out in cities and densely populated areas. As Maine’s population continues to grow and temperatures continue to rise, animals ”“ not just coyotes ”“ have been venturing farther out of the woods and traditional territory to seek food and habitat. So these types of precautions are important year-round to keep deer, moose, bears, bobcats and other mammals in rural habitats.

Vistein also said that people who encounter coyotes should shout at them and put up their hands. A person can also move aggressively toward a coyote and throw things at them until they leave.

We hope residents will go to Thursday night’s informational meeting at Biddeford High School at 7 p.m. to learn more about local efforts and do their part to keep coyotes from becoming more accustomed to Biddeford.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.