SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- A coyote seemed to be a little turned around on a snowy evening in Southfield this week.
The rather large canine was captured on video by metro Detroiter Justin Johnson on Tuesday evening just after 7 p.m. at J L Hudson Drive off the Northwest Highway Service Drive near the former Northland Mall location.
In the clip, the coyote can be seen standing just off the side of the road in the snow and looking around before trotting off in the other direction.
Coyote sightings have been on the rise in metro Detroit over the last few years. They are typically seen during sunrise or sunset, and aren’t usually out during daylight hours.
The adaptable animals, which often populate forests and farmlands, have more recently learned to survive in an urban landscape, where they've often traveled to find food.
According to the Michigan Department of Resources website, coyotes have a natural fear of people, so human should refrain from trying to feed or tame them.
To prevent coyote encounters near your home, the DNR recommends the following:
-Eliminate outside food sources including garbage or pet food left out may draw their attention.
-Clear out bird feeders and/or brush piles that provide food and hiding places for small mammals and birds.
-Keep small pets indoors or accompany them outside and keep them on a leash.
-If you see a coyote in your area, try to scare it off by yelling, clapping or making other loud noises. Most coyotes are naturally afraid of people and will leave if you frighten them.
-Coyotes, like any wild animal, can act unpredictably and should be treated with respect and enjoyed from a distance.
Learn more about coyotes in Michigan at Michigan.gov/DNR.
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