How Often Do Coyotes Eat Humans
Fatal coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coyote bites are reported thousands of times annually in the United States, but deaths remain statistically uncommon. Most incidents involve small children or isolated individuals in suburban or wildland areas. The CDC tracks animal bite data through its National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which publishes annual reports on nonfatal and fatal animal attacks. For detailed injury statistics, see the CDC's injury center data here.
Studies published in peer-reviewed journals show that coyotes typically avoid humans. The Humane Society of the United States notes that most coyotes are wary of people and scavenge rather than hunt humans. Aggressive behavior usually occurs when coyotes become habituated due to feeding by humans, habitat loss, or disease. The HSUS provides guidelines on reducing human-coyote conflict through its wildlife response programs here.
Confirmed Coyote Attack Incidents and Fatalities
Notable Fatal Attacks in North America
One of the most widely documented fatal coyote attacks occurred in 2009 in Nova Scotia, Canada, when a young girl was killed by a pack of coyotes in a provincial park. This incident led to increased research into coyote behavior and risk factors. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative has since published analyses of predator attack patterns, noting that such fatalities remain outliers rather than trends.
In the United States, nonfatal attacks are more common but still infrequent. The National Park Service records coyote encounters in parks such as Los Angeles-area Griffith Park, where management programs track aggressive incidents. Data from park incident reports show that education and food-storage rules significantly reduce attack frequency. The NPS maintains public safety alerts and wildlife management plans here.
Coyote Behavior, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Why Coyotes Approach Humans
Coyotes may approach humans when they associate people with food. Urban and suburban expansion into wild habitats increases these encounters. Research from the University of California Cooperative Extension shows that unsecured trash, pet food, and fruit fallen from trees attract coyotes into residential areas. When coyotes lose their natural fear of humans, the risk of defensive or predatory behavior increases.
Prevention strategies focus on removing attractants and modifying human behavior. Wildlife agencies recommend securing garbage, supervising children, and keeping pets leashed or indoors at night. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides state-by-state guidance on coexisting with coyotes, including hazing techniques to reinforce a coyote's fear of humans. These methods are supported by data showing reduced conflict incidents where implemented consistently here.