Coyote Awareness

City of Yorba LindaSeptember 1, 2009

Coyotes were once found mostly in the Southwest

Now live in every state except Hawaii

Reasons for their expansion 19th century killing of wolves Shrinking natural landscape Highly adaptable, resilient and prolific

Coyote Awareness

Coyotes are Omnivorous• They eat everything!

• Rodents• Birds• Rabbits• Fruit• Vegetables• Bird Seed• Insects/grasshoppers• Garbage – food scraps• Pet Food

Coyote Awareness

Interaction with Humans Aggression/attacks towards humans is

extremely rare University of California study

1988-1997 in Southern California 53 attacks on humans (21 with

injuries) Human behavior contributes to attacks

Interactions are directly related to food

Coyotes are wary of humans and avoid contact whenever possible

Coyote Awareness

Seven Steps of Progression UC Davis Professor (2007)

1. Increase in coyotes on streets2. Increase in coyotes approaching

humans and/or taking pets at night

3. Coyotes on streets, and in parks and yards in early morning/ late afternoon

4. Coyotes chasing or taking pets in the daytime

Seven Steps of Progression, cont…

UC Davis Study5. Coyotes attacking and taking pets

on leashes nears their owners; chasing joggers, bicyclists, and other adults

6. Coyotes seen in and around children’s play areas, school grounds, and parks in mid-day

7. Coyotes acting aggressively toward adults in midday

Attempts to Eradicate/Reduce Population Reproduction is directly linked to

population Larger litters are born when

population declines Other packs will move into vacated

territory Rodent population significantly

increases

Coyote Awareness

Coyotes are in your neighbor because they have found

food or shelter

Coyote Awareness

Coexisting with Coyotes• Clean Grills• Pick up all fallen fruit• Clean up spilled seed from bird

feeders• Clean trash cans – ammonia• No pet food• No water

Coyote Awareness

Coexisting with Coyotes• Cover compost piles• Add motion sensitive lighting• Install coyote proof fencing• Keep cats and small dogs indoors

• Under supervision when outside

• Spay/Neuter dogs

Coyote Awareness

Coexisting with Coyotes• Trim all shrubs to remove possible

dens• Close all crawl spaces • Remove abandoned sheds• Enclose all decking

Coyote Awareness

What to do when you spot a coyote at home• Immediately take small pets and children

inside• Make very loud noises

• Bang together two pots or pieces of wood

• Spray with full pressure garden hose

Coyote Awareness

What to do when you spot a coyote in the neighborhood• Carry a walking stick – make noise with

stick• Carry a whistle – blow whistle

Coyote Awareness

Legal Jurisdiction Department of Fish and Game Code

Section 1802 states that the department of Fish and Game has jurisdiction over the conversation, protection and management of wildlife.

California Code of Regulations section 679 (f) (4) states in part that any healthy wildlife trapped in towns or cities shall be released in the immediate area where it was trapped.

Coyote Awareness

Orange County Animal Care Services

Coyote Awareness

Education Assist with

unusual circumstances

Injured wildlife

Thank you for the opportunity to provide you information on

Coyote Awareness

Questions?