BOULDER, Colo. - An initiative to try to prevent coyotes from harassing hikers near the Boulder Creek Path is coming to an end.

The Boulder Daily Camera reports (http://bit.ly/YffMSV ) the city developed a strategy last month to manage the animals. The plan included retraining coyotes to be wary of humans by hazing them -- whether by blowing an air horn, throwing a tennis ball toward them or other obnoxious actions.

Far fewer encounters between coyotes and humans have been reported in recent days, and the last hazing shift is set for Sunday.

The hazing program was launched Jan. 18 in response to several reports involving aggressive coyotes, including one biting of a female jogger. Val Matheson, Boulder's urban wildlife conservation coordinator, says the next step is to assess what approach the city will take in the future.