There's a coyote couple living in Central Park and we're obsessed with them

You wouldn't initially think it, but New York wildlife is far more exotic than just humdrum pigeons and park squirrels. We've seen superstar owl kings get their own exhibits at The New-York Historical Society, flashy Mandarin ducks inspire Bette Midler-penned kids' books and actual seahorses bobbing around the Hudson River. And now we can add two more unexpected creatures that have captured local hearts: the Central Park coyotes.

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Yes, coyotes do exist in New York City—the howlers "have been present in New York since the 1930s, and have been firmly established throughout the state since the 1970s," popping up in urban areas including parks and residential neighborhoods, per the City of New York. The site details that "Eastern coyotes, like many New York City residents, are naturally curious and adaptable" and can "explore as much as 10 miles of open space in a single day—that’s roughly the distance from Wall Street to the top of Central Park."

And two members of the proverbial pack have been doing exactly that: A coyote couple affectionately known as Romeo and Juliet—BRB, swooning—has been gaining attention throughout NYC thanks to their romantic nighttime visits to the Delacorte Theater (somebody get them Shakespeare in the Park tickets, STAT) and woodsy cuddles in the Bramble.

Local wildlife photographers David Lei and Jaqueline Emery—who similarly gave a spotlight to the dearly departed Flaco with their photography book Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City’s Beloved Owl—revealed that they have been lovingly trailing the furry canine duo for six years in a recent profile in Smithsonian magazine.

Per the photogs, Romeo and Juliet have been coupled up since 2023 and were even spotted, ahem, celebrating Valentine's Day together this year. (Seriously, our hearts can't take anymore.) As of yet, the twosome are happily DINKS (that is, double income, no kids), having not yet produced any pups. But coyotes are monogamous and mate for life, so the pair have plenty of time to expand their fuzzy fam.

Now, as delighted as we are by this adorable coyote coupling, it's important to remember that wild canines such as Romeo and Juliet are very much predators and should be respected as such. Per the NYC Parks Department: "Seeing a coyote for the first time can be an exhilarating or an alarming experience. If you see a coyote, do not panic. Most coyotes are not dangerous to people. Nationwide, only a handful of coyote bites are reported each year."

As for coexisting safely and peacefully with the likes of Romeo and Juliet? Don't feed them ("Keeping coyotes wild is the key to coexistence," stresses the Parks Department), mind your own pets (again, these guys are professional hunters), don't leave food or garbage behind in the park (which is good advice whether or not a coyote is involved), and if you do encounter one IRL, "act big and make loud noises until the coyote retreats." Basically, do to the coyotes as you would any other New Yorkers—mind your damn business!

In the meantime, we'll be here crushing on these cuties from the safety of our Instagram accounts.