The Arizona Game and Fish Department has announced a zero-tolerance policy for feeding wildlife in a midtown neighborhood.
They say the Catalina Vista neighborhood has a high number of coyotes and javelinas, and people feeding those animals can attract even more to the neighborhood.
“Feeding wildlife is unsafe for humans and wildlife,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson. “Nuisance wildlife persist in neighborhoods when they can find food, water and shelter. We want to help the community remove the attractants.”
Game and Fish will help remove those attractants today and will also attempt to deter the coyotes by shooting them with non-lethal paintball guns.
The paint will mark the animals and hopefully keep them away from people.
Anyone who sees someone feeding the wildlife in Catalina Vista or other neighborhoods should call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 800-352-0700.
