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3400 Wildlife Preservation - Coyotes Staff Reports
CC 4/28/2014 REPORT ON CONSIDERATION OF ADDING A SUPPLEMENTAL COYOTE CONTROL OPTION. City Manager Cruz presented the staff report stating that the City has $17,000 budgeted in FY 13-14 for coyote control and the City currently utilizes services from the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner's office for coyote control. He stated that given the time and staffing limitations the County is facing, they have not been able to consistently provide coyote control services to the City. He further stated that the City could pursue trapping services from other private trapping firms if the City Council wishes to pursue that option. He noted that preliminarily staff contacted one private firm that could provide services at a cost of $3,500 for ten days of service at any location where permission has been received for control services. Discussion ensued concerning the difficulties associated with coyote trapping and other ways of costing such services like a per animal fee or a guaranteed service. Mayor Lay called for public comment. Carol Marrone addressed the City Council to express her concern about the coyotes in the community and stated that she has consented to trapping. She further commented that when the representative from the County visited her property he pointed out that in order to effectively control the coyotes, every property owner needs to consent to control on their property. Following further discussion, the City Council directed staff to try to get additional services form the County and to work with additional coyote control providers to provide service on a results based cost structure and to pursue providers that offer services other than trapping. Page 1 of 1 Mayor Black commented on an increase in coyote activity. Staff explained efforts to manage coyotes .being conducted by the Los Angeles County Agriculture Department. Mayor Black also commented on a recent incident involving a child who had been bitten by a rattlesnake. He asked that an article be placed in the Citywide Newsletter regarding snakes and asked that the article also state that children should not try to control a snake. UPDATE ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. City Manager Nealis provided an update regarding coyote management activities in the City. He reported on the 7/8/02 and 8/6/02 instances of predatory acts by coyotes against domestic pets during the day while people were present, and the successful calling and dispatching of a young coyote at one of those properties. He reported on the increased sightings, suspected and .confirmed predatory activity reports and that eight months of trapping had not resulted in the capture of any animals. He indicated that Councilmember Heinsheimer suggested that the City more proactively manage the numbers of coyotes in the City. Councilmembers discussed the two predatory activities occurring in close proximity to humans. Councilmember Heinsheimer commented on the chart provided by staff and the marked increase in the number of sightings. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis explained that the dispatching of coyotes would not be an attempt to remove all of the coyotes from the community, but would represent an attempt to reduce the population to manageable level and reinstall .their natural behavior of nocturnal predatory activities rather than daytime predatory activities in the proximity of humans. Cuuncilmembers concurred that due to the increased number of coyote sightings, lack of results from trapping, recent reported predatory acts near humans and the age of the coyote that was managed, that staff be authorized to work with the Los Angeles County Department of. Agriculture to proactively reduce the number of coyotes, in the City. The Council commented that after this action, a reduction in coyote reports should be observed. CON'SIDEPOTION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM .THE "' WILDLIFE ('RESERVATION COMMITTEE REGARDING NUISANCE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding this subject and the Wildlife Preservation Committee's recommendation. He explained that members of the Committee discussed this matter at great length at their last meeting and as a result of those discussions, the increased number of coyote reports and concerns expressed by residents, the Committee felt that a more proactive type of coyote management was necessary under certain circumstances. He reported that the recommendations of the Wildlife Preservation Committee are designed to re -instill the natural fear of humans in coyotes and are not designed to complete eradicate these animals from the local environment. He said that these recommendations include: (1 ) That representatives of the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture be authorized to shoot coyotes only when safety conditions are present, and prior property owner written permission has been obtained, and when activity by a coyote or coyotes on private property has demonstrated a lack of fear of humans by virtue of the severity of the predatory activity (proximity to humans), time of day, or number of coyotes present. The type of management that will be deployed by the County Department of agriculture will include electronic calling of coyotes to the specific private property(s) and the safe discharge of a firearm at close proximity to the intended target. (2) That the City extend the existing agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture into FY 2002-2003. (3) That trapping efforts by the County Department of .agriculture continue upon request and written approval by private property owners. Discussion ensued regarding the Wildlife Preservation Committee's recommendations. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis reported that the current agreement with the County Agriculture Department expires at the end of June, 2002. The City Council discussed the circumstances that would warrant the recommended shooting of coyotes. City Manager Nealis explained that he would visit the property and evaluate each reported incident with a County Agriculture representative to confirm the reported behavior. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis explained that given past reported incidents involving predatory activity by coyotes, that there may be three or four properties where this type of activity may occur again which, under repeated activity, would warrant the shooting of the coyote. He indicated that the feels that if this is successful on one or two properties, that it might nut he necessary on future properties. Councilmember Pernell suggested that staff report back to the City Council after the first incident. City Nlanager Nealis stated that he would keep the City Councilmembers apprised of this level of activity at every step. Councilmember Murdock stated that she feels that this matter has been very well researched and commended the City Manager and the Wildlife Preservation Committee for their handling of this situation. Discussion ensued regarding the increased reports of coyote sightings in the City. City Manager Nealis explained an incident that occurred at 2:00 p.m., with the property owner witnessing the predatory activity against small domestic animals, where a number of chickens were taken by coyotes on a property in the City. He also explained a incident involving coyotes taking cats from a porch on a property. 1 Tearing no further discussion. Mayor Lay called for a motion. Nlavur Pro Tem Hill moved that the City Council approve the recommendations from the 11'ildlife Preservation Committee. Counciimen-iber Murdock seconded the motion, which carried. unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance. Staff was authorized to execute the recommended agreement with the County Agriculture Department fur FY 2002- 03, and was directed to keep the City Council apprised of these efforts. • CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMIT tE REGARDING COYOTES. City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the Wildlife Preservation Committee's recommendation that the City Council consider rreducing the number of coyotes in the community and that the City Council consider an educational program to advise residents of the potential danger of coyotes and methods to discourage coyote activity on their property. He reported that at the January 7, 2002 Wildlife Preservation Committee meeting, residents in attendance, reported multiple coyote sightings, predatory activity by groups of coyotes against pets and their fear of potential coyote interaction with small children due to the number of coyotes in the community. City. Manager Nealis also reported that the Committee recommendations were based upon the increased number of contacts that residents have made to City Hall concerning coyotes, the increase of • coyote sightings at various times of the day, the severity of predatory activity that has been reported and the testimony offered at the Committee meeting. He also indicated that the Committee was concerned about the notable change in the number of coyotes in groups being spotted at one time and their proximity to residential dwellings. City Manager Nealis also reported on his inquiries regarding the subject of coyotes with the State Department of Fish and Game and the County Agricultural Department. Mr. Nealis indicated that additional correspondence from Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, regarding this subject had been placed before the City Council this evening. Minutes City Council Meeting 01/14/02 _3_ r Mr. Ray Smith, Supervising Agricultural Inspector, Pest Management Division, Department of Agricultural Commissioners/Weights & Measures, County of Los Angeles, provided an overview of the responsibilities of the Department. He explained that coyotes have been in the area for years as well as throughout the County. He explained that the Department has been contracted to reduce the coyote population in other cities and explained that a collarum trap in used to do this and that these traps do not completely eradicate a local coyote population, but, assist in establishing a natural balance and cause the coyotes to fear humans. He stressed the importance of educating people to not feed the coyotes. In response to Councilmember Pernell, Mr. Smith explained that staff from the Department has a number of years experience reducing coyote populations with the'collarum trap as well as other methods. He explained that sometimes non -target animals are captured in the collarum trap and that these animals are not harmed but rather turned over to animal control. He indicated that since Rolling Hills does not have a leash law that domestic animals captured inadvertently would be released. In response to Councilmember Pernell regarding the success rate of reducing coyote population by trapping, Mr. Smith indicated that the results range from extremely successful to dismal and that there is no guarantee, but should re -install the fear of man into coyotes. Councilmember Heinsheimer suggested that since Rolling Hills does not have a leash law that residents should be advised of the trapping activity. Councilmember Heinshimer also suggested that residents with unaltered dogs should be warned about the possibility of coys becoming introduced into the community as they did a number of years ago. Councilmember Heinshimer stated that he feels that any program for the reduction of coyotes in the City should include educational efforts as well as trapping. He suggested that staff work with the 'County Agricultural Department to initiate such an integrated program, which, will maintain a balance in the ecology of the City. In response to Councilmember Heinsheimer, Mr. Smith stated that the County Agricultural staff has worked with other cities to initiate such programs and that they could work with staff on newsletter articles and other educational materials. Councilmember Lay commented on the possibility of residents being able privately deploy the collarum trap on their property or the possibility that the City could make these traps available for residents to deploy in the same manner that the Have -A -Heart devices that are currently available. Councilmember Lay concurred with the suggestion by Councilmember Heinsheimer that an integrated approach be implemented to reduce the coyote population. Mr. Roger Sommer, Chair of the Wildlife Preservation Committee, commented on the recommendation of the Committee and stated that the Committee is currently working on an educational flyer on coyotes. He stated that he feels that the suggested integrated approach is consistent with the Committee's recommendation. Mr. Ed Myers, 9 Wagon Lane, commented on his concern for the number of coyotes in the City and indicated that he is concerned about the safety of his small children. Mr. Myers commented on the number of missing cats as well as a missing small dog in his neighborhood. In response to Mr. Myers, Mr. Smith and Mr. Adams indicated that natural predators of coyotes are mountain lions and bears. Mrs. Marianne Wishner, 30 Portuguese Bend Road, expressed concern about the aggressiveness of the coyotes and explained that two coyotes took a cat from her porch as she watched. She reported that she sees and hears coyotes in the canyon near her home and that she feels that there are new pups in the canyon. Following a motion by Councilmember Heinsheimer, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lay and hearing no objection by the entire City Council, Mayor Murdock so ordered that the recommendations from the Wildlife Preservation Committee be approved and that staff be directed and authorized to enter into an agreement as soon as possible with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture to implement an Integrated Coyote Management Program which shall include educational efforts as well as trapping to reduce and manage the number of coyotes in the community. The City Council also authorized the expenditure of funds to conduct this program. OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME None. Minutes City Council Meeting 01/14/02 -4- Relf%/to qiceld INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274 (310) 377-1521 FAX (310) 377-7288 Agenda Item No: 10-D Mtg. Date: 04/28/14 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM RAYMOND R. CRUZ, CITY MANAGER fiLv SUBJECT: REPORT ON CONSIDERATION OF ADDING A SUPPLEMENTAL COYOTE CONTROL OPTION. DATE: APRIL 28, 2014 ATTACHMENTS: 2014 Coyote Sighting Map RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council consider a supplemental coyote control option during the FY 2014/15 budget process and direct staff to receive bids from vendors to determine what would be the best vendor for Rolling Hills and its associated cost. BACKGROUND Since Mayor Pro Tem Pieper was not going to be present at the March 24 City Council meeting, he requested that City Manager make his request known that he wanted an item on the agenda for the April 28, 2014 City Council meeting regarding alternative coyote control options. Mayor Lay with the City Council's concurrence directed staff to bring back a report and place it on the April 28 agenda. DISCUSSION The City of Rolling Hills has had a recent rash of coyote activity in the City limits so far in FY 13/14. City staff have fielded several calls and met with visitors to City Hall that have provided testimony of coyote sightings, hearing gruesome sounds of coyotes killing wild life in the canyons and being grief stricken about missing pets that are believed to be victims of coyotes. A map is attached that identifies coyote sightings in 2014. The City of Rolling Hills' natural terrain with its many canyons provides the food -1- supply and habitat for coyotes to thrive. The City utilizes the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission for coyote control, and budgeted $17,000 for FY 13/14 for its services. Unfortunately, the agency's responsiveness is limited because it has only one staff member that eradicates coyotes for the one third of the County. Thus, Rolling Hills has to wait its turn in the cue regardless of the urgency of its coyote control problem. Staff has found State licensed coyote control vendors that are available as a supplement to County's services. Staff has had experience utilizing these types of firms for coyote control and has found them to be professional, effective and discreet. They all have different pay ranges but staff is most familiar with one company that provides a 10 -day service for a cost of $3,500. This cost would pay to cover all the coyote control issues in the entire City during that time period. Although not inexpensive, it is believed it would be prudent for the City to have a coyote control alternative. The City could pick up this cost or could refer the firm to residents so they can take care of the costs themselves. Since staff believes this is of a significant public safety and community concern, it has included $7,000 it in its FY 2014/15 Budget Work Plan. FISCAL IMPACT The Council would receive at least three bids on the service and determine which vendor could be retained to provide its services. Depending on Council's preference, the City Council can put a firm on retainer and sets a limit on what the City will fund to evaluate selected vendor's effectiveness, and possibly increase its budget if the City deems it necessary. CONCLUSION Coyote control is one of the most significant public safety services the City of Rolling Hills provides its residents. The City is fortunate to have the Los Angeles County Agriculture Commission as its primary Coyote Control vendor because they provide effective and professional service. Furthermore, the Commission is no longer taking on new client cities for coyote control services at a time when there has been an explosion of coyotes in areas around the county that never had them. It is good that that the Commission has taken the no new client position because Rolling Hills already has its challenges in being provided timely service. Therefore, to retain a supplemental Coyote Control vendor is prudent when the City is having a chronic coyote problem. RC:hl Coyote Control Alternatives.docx -2- 9 • c oyo1- {to{ f ZoI - 3 f %i 4t TRAILS OP ROLUNG HILLS SCALE •117170' LEGEND. TRAILS ROADS Aa LRENSHAN. • ATC t.. CMG STATION TRAIL C/ • 41 .1 FIRE STATION --r \1 • r f• HERGEHDIES . ` 1, IAAIt CATE FCIT'! HALL CA SALLEROS RING Q HESSE'S GAR tit21 1 i f l� J ,/ i �r � i�_`a �i i I ki- e / S ) i l *•---) 1 ; __ ' REST � ) - :•'' GATE �i �—<CLOSED} EASTEIELD GATE —� THIS nAF pVT^TS CLplADt ACSMAaTO * LCIFLL MSE TR,AAS r •IPAAIL ' t IN r. CttY Cr AOLAINN FILLS O'/CR ic:VATC AAD,C%T• nkl,TAINct ST l.n_ CO:.OtM HILLS CCNNJMTY A:-`OCIATIOII (.000C•». FEKb:LAM IS G?NtlCO TO USt: MAC TAMS is IM/C CCr THE /GLUM.* COMCTTIONC. IJ V06SSTA:GING AMC GUNEIT17.V Ml TNT TaAiL3, S'.• YCAACN GT 11.119RC4.rtG, AFTLN Me.,TAFATA. VAICYSIA2 LflC +n? GCI[e,aLLt RENQTE LOCATIWIS KAY CAMNG[ AS tO =a== Cr n IIGLAA O CCHO:IOtHS AT A4Y AlE. or aStlltLII M' IC€T1tlTTCAl / SADtM !RQr RNCA. TIM AE 91SALA?CD AT ALE rlAT:S V.24 AMINO WE TRARS: N RE1.EAsriC MY PAID AU. TACOCc_A PGI1AS 01 AY i FSa'LaT' A a rCUTO 1 VN1CR Yg, rt o gOSANa`.CU>'K M OLAts. MI ANY arOCS I TUAE ITS ,-1.9 VUATSOCYCR AUAr.sr TAP COCA 6.4; INC MAP PROVfDED BY CAOALI,IBROS DEL RANCHO PALOS VERDES c.EnI/SRaa.: l,Yi tEV 5.4' MEMORANDUM City ofi2 fP,.9 JkPf, NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377-1521 FAX: (310) 377-7288 E-mail: cityofrh@aol.com TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: CRAIG R. NEALIS, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF REPORT ON NUISANCE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. DATE: MAY 20, 2002 BACKGROUND At a meeting of the Wildlife Preservation Committee held on January 7, 2002, a staff report was presented to the Committee that was prompted by correspondence submitted to the City by Mrs. Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, requesting a more aggressive method of trapping and managing coyotes in the City. A copy of the staff report that was ultimately submitted to the City Council on January 14, 2002 on this subject, which includes information that was presented to the Committee, is attached for your information. As a result of the recommendations of the Wildlife Preservation Committee, on January 14, 2002, the City Council authorized staff to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture to implement an Integrated Coyote Management Program to include educational efforts as well a trapping to reduce and manage the number of coyotes in the community. This subject was also discussed at the January 16, 2002 meeting of the Rolling Hills Community Association that was attended by approximately 150 residents. Since January 14, 2002, there have been 48 sightings of coyotes reported to City Hall. There has also been 4 suspected predatory activity against small pets and 2 reportedly confirmed incidents of predatory activity against small pets. In reviewing this data, the number of sightings appear to be on the rise and suspected predatory activity or confirmed predatory activity appears to be at least at the level reported in 2001. At the meeting of the Wildlife Preservation Committee held Monday, April 15, 2002, Committee Member Pam Crane suggested the idea of expanding the authorized management techniques permitted to be used by the County Department of Agriculture to include 'shooting of coyotes, when appropriate. This suggestion was based on the coyote sighting, report of seven coyotes in a pack described below. This concept was supported by Alternate Committee Member Gordon Schaye, who requested that this subject be included on this evening's agenda for consideration of discussion and a potential recommendation to the City Council regarding expanding the coyote -1- management methods authorized to be provided by the County Department of Agriculture. On April 10, 2002, Mrs. Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, contacted City Hall and reported that her house sitter had seen 7 coyotes in a pack in the canyon below her property. Additionally, on April 15, 2002, we had four separate reports of people seeing 2 coyotes adjacent to the roadside near Poppy Trail and Portuguese Bend Road. Several other reports on sightings at Poppy Trail Road have been submitted to the City. Mrs. Debra Fournier also proposed shooting of coyotes to reduce their population and provide increased protection of pets and humans. r • ' In discussing this subject with Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture Commissioner/Weights & Measures Supervising Agriculture Inspector Raymond B. Smith, he indicates that the County Department of Agriculture is authorized to shoot coyotes in Los Angeles County. He is in attendance this evening to provide information on the scope of services that could be provided by the County regarding this topic and answer questions from the Committee. At the January 2002, Annual Meeting of the Rolling Hills Community Association, the subject of shooting of coyotes was briefly discussed. At that meeting, residents did not seem to support the shooting of coyotes by individual property owners. Members of the Wildlife Preservation Committee may wish to consider recommending that appropriate amendments be made to the Municipal Code to clarify that this type of shooting is not permitted by residents. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that members of the Wildlife Preservation Committee consider this subject and provide appropriate direction to staff. CRN:mlk 05/20/02wpccoyote. sta -2- William Bassilit Judith HassoIdt 10 Pine Tree Lane Rolling Hills, CA 90274 May 9, 2002 Rolling Hills Community Association Wild Life Committee 1 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, CA 90274 Dear Members: MAYr a O 2462 CITY OF K.,1--:M.11.� PV We understand that you are considering a more aggressive approach to control the coyote problem. We have a very serious concern, as we have had eight cats destroyed by these animals. And now, what was once a haven for wonderful cats that needed a new home has become a prison, since we must keep the cats enclosed in a safe cage in our barn. • But this is not deterring visits by these wild beautiful animals that are prowling our property on a daily basis. They appear in mid morning looking for a fast meal of a cat, or our Yorkie, or frankly, possibly a small child. The time has come to become a realist and shoot these animals. They are out of place in our domestic environment. Trapping these savvy animals is like trying to catch fire flies. And I would bet on the flies. Rodger Vink had a great success years ago shooting these carnivores. Let's consider giving him the job again. He is well aware of our distress and I am sure he will do a clean safe job of it. Lets get it done before a child is attacked and we are all living in the country without small pets. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. But please move on the problem. Regards, K 2d4'd //' Judith Hassoldt Cu, 0/ Rlf,.SJdll, INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377-1521 FAX: (310) 377-7288 E-mail: cityofrh@aol.com Agenda Item No.: 8-C Mtg. Date: 01/14/02 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CRAIG R. NEALIS, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGARDING COYOTES. DATE: JANUARY 14, 2002 BACKGROUND The attached staff report was presented to the Wildlife Preservation Committee at an adjourned regular meeting held January 7, 2002. The staff report was prompted by correspondence submitted to the City by Mrs. Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, requesting a more aggressive method of trapping and dealing with coyotes in the community. Representatives of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Control attended this Committee meeting. Also in attendance were Dr. James and Dr. Karen. Black, 2 Appaloosa Lane, Mrs. Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, Mrs. Gladys Black, 36 Saddleback Road, Dr. Rae Walker, 6 Wagon Lane and Mr. John Nunn, 1 Crest Road West. At the meeting, those in attendance, with the exception of Mr. Nunn, reported multiple coyote sightings, predatory activity by groups of coyotes and their fear of potential coyote interaction with small children due to the number of coyotes in the community. Mr. Nunn suggested that residents use non -lethal means (slingshot) to disrupt the coyote behavior. Currently, the City offers residents the use of Have -A -Heart cage traps at their request deployed through the County Department of Animal Control. The Rolling Hills Community Association also makes one of these traps available, however, these devices have not been successful in capturing any coyotes. Staff provided the options presented by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control regarding coyotes, which included identification of the "Collarum" snare trap by the County. Following extensive discussion, members of the Wildlife Preservation Committee recommended the following to the City Council: Printed on Recycled Paper. i • That the City Council consider reducing the population of coyotes by whatever means necessary and that the State Department of Fish -and Game and County Department of Agricultural be requested to review this subject and advise the City Council in that regard. This motion passed by a 7-0-1 vote. Voting in favor of this motion were Committee Members Barnes, Black, Deroy, Gales, Foye, Schaye and Chair Sommer. Committee Member Raine abstained. Committee Members Shultz and Crane were absent. • That the City Council direct staff to conduct a more aggressive educational program for residents on the "do's and don'ts" to discourage coyote activity on their property and advise people of the potential danger of coyotes. The Committee recommendations were based upon the increased number of contacts that residents have made to City Hall concerning coyotes, the increase of coyote sightings at various times of the day, the severity of predatory activity that has been reported and the testimony offered at the Committee meeting. The Committee was also concerned about the notable change in the number of coyotes in groups being spotted at one time and their proximity to residential dwellings. Several coyote sightings have been reported immediately adjacent to homes. COYOTE REPORTS Between 1996 and 1999, the City received a total of 7 contacts from residents reporting coyote sightings or coyote noises. In 2000, 17 complaints were received. Of that total, 10 involved coyote sightings or noises, 5 involved suspected predatory activity, and 2 involved witnessed predatory activity against small pets and foxes. In 2001, 44 complaints were received. Of that total, 32 involved sightings, 8 involved suspected predatory activity and 4 involved witnessed predatory activity against small domestic pets. Suspected predatory activity generally involved finding evidence of an attack, hearing an attack or reporting a number of missing cats. Several complaints of coyote sightings included reports that the coyotes are seen "all the time". Predatory activity has most often been reported in the morning or early evening hours, but has been reported at other times during the day. On January 7, 2002, the Houskes, 23 Middleridge Lane North, reported that between 2-2:30 p.m., two coyotes killed seven chickens on their property. Based upon- the recommendations from the Wildlife Preservation Committee, staff contacted the County Department of Agriculture and California Department of Fish and Game in preparing this staff report. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME According to State Fish and Game Warden Mike Stefank of the Santa Clarita Office, Fish and Game only becomes involved in reducing a coyote population when "public safety" is at risk. Warden Stefank described public safety issues as aggressive behavior by a coyote toward a human such as a coyote not backing away when threatened; a coyote following a person into their home; or a coyote taking a domestic pet while that pet is on a leash and engaging in a "tug-of-war" with the pet handler. Warden Stefank indicated that the risk to "public safety" must be current or recently repeated in order for Fish and Game to become involved. Warden Stefank did indicate that the City could legally deploy snare traps. Warden Stefank indicated that the City might be able to contract with the United States Department of Agriculture — Wildlife Services Division, to reduce the coyote population. We have not received contact by that Department at the time of the writing of this staff report and will report any applicable research regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture at this evening's meeting. To conclude, Warden Stefank did not feel that the Department of Fish and Game has any jurisdiction at this time due to the nature of local coyote complaints. However, Fish and Game is willing to review the documentation that the City has complied to date to determine if any public safety issues are present. LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Supervising Agriculture Inspector Ray Smith of the Arcadia Office of the County Department of Agriculture is willing to enter into a service contract with the City of Rolling Hills to reduce the number of coyotes in the community by utilizing the Collarum snare trap. Inspector Smith recommends this method because of the terrain in the City and the number of reports of coyote instances that are occurring. He does not foresee that the Collarum trap will result in the complete elimination of local coyotes. However, elsewhere in the County where they have deployed the Collarum trap, when they remove a few of the coyotes from the area, Inspector Smith reports that it has the effect of reinstilling the fear of humans in coyotes and that coyote interaction has subsided for several years following this method of coyote management. City Attorney Mike Jenkins reports that the City of Diamond Bar reports success in utilizing the services of the County Agriculture Department and the deployment of the Collarum snare trap. Representatives of both the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control and the Agricultural Department will be in attendance at this evening's meeting. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that members of the City Council consider the above recommendations of the Wildlife Preservation Committee and direct staff to take appropriate action. Recommendations that the City Council may wish to consider that are consistent with recommendations of the Wildlife Preservation Committee and the advice of the Department of Fish and Game and County Department of Agriculture include: • Direct staff to advise residents of the ability to privately deploy the Collarum snare trap on their property. ■ Direct staff to obtain Collarum snare traps and make them available for residents to deploy in the same manner that we have been making the Have -A -Heart devices available. ■ Direct staff to forward our history of coyote complaints to the Department of Fish and Game for evaluation. ■ Direct staff to enter into a contract for services with the County Department of Agriculture to reduce the number of coyotes by deploying the Collarum snare trap in the City in a manner recommended by the County Department of Agriculture on private property with the consent and request of residents. ■ Direct staff to commence an increased public awareness campaign and dissemination of information regarding coyotes in addition to any one or more of the above activities. CRN:mlk 01/14/02wperecommendation.sta -4- ,, City 0/ le.frinl INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377-1521 FAX: (310) 377-7288 E-mail: cityotrh@aol.com Agenda Item No.: 5.1 Mtg. Date: 01/07/02 TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: CRAIG R. NEALIS, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF CORRESPONDENCE FROM MRS. DEBRA FOURNIER REGARDING COYOTES DATED 12/20/01 DATE: JANUARY 7, 2002 Attached to this staff report is correspondence received by the City on December 20, 2001 expressing concern about coyotes in the community. Specifically, Mrs. Fournier is requesting a more aggressive method of trapping for coyotes. Currently, the City deploys Have -A -Heart cage traps through the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, at the request of residents to trap coyotes, or other nuisance wildlife on their property. The Community Association has also deployed a cage trap at the request of residents. Residents have also used the services of a private trapping contractor that deploys the same type of trap. Traps deployed at the request of residents are generally the result of multiple sightings of coyotes by the resident or suspected or witnessed predatory activity against their small domestic pets. The traps deployed by the County and Community Association have not been successful in catching any coyotes. We have not been advised as to the status of the activities of the private trapper. The City began receiving telephone calls (coyote sightings/complaints) regarding these animals in 1996. In 1999, the City received four reports of coyote sightings. In 2000,12 contacts were made by residents reporting coyote sightings, suspected coyote "howling" and suspected predatory activity against a small domestic pet. In 2001, we received 37 contacts including sightings, howling, suspected and witnessed predatory activity against small domestic pets. In August, 2000, we began including periodic articles in the Citywide Newsletter advising residents to take care in the management of their small domestic pets. A copy of this type of article is attached to this staff report. I requested further information from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control on this subject. They have supplied the attached correspondence, which identifies the "collarum" trap for trapping coyotes. A representative of the County -1- ®Printed on Recvrled F'aper. Department of Animal Care and Control is in attendance this evening to present information on this subject to the Committee. At the December 17, 2001 Wildlife Preservation meeting, Committee Members Loren Deroy,and Steve Shultz were directed to research information on coyotes with the goal of producing an informational flyer on the subject. This is in keeping with previous flyers that have been prepared by the Committee on similar subjects. Information supplied by Committee Member Loren Deroy is also attached to this staff report. Further information regarding coyote incidents in Southern California as well as coyote educational material that has been supplied by the Department of Animal Care and Control is included with this staff report. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that members of the Wildlife Preservation Committee consider this correspondence and any public testimony and provide appropriate direction to staff. CRN:mlk 01/07/01 wpcfourn ierltr.sta -2- FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:21AM P1 TELECOPY COVER SHEET Date: /��lo Time: / 4 TO: Name: l i g115 Company: dedzi5 Telephone No. Telecopier No. 1,317- 2d ( FROM: Fournier 310-541-8905/fax: 541-1105 Number of Pages (including cover sheet): REMARKS: Avtio jai 4441414.0tet . 1/4 ad) L b 1nr FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:22AM P2 1)ecember 20, 2001 TO: Rolling Hills Community Association Fax: 544-6766 Rolling Hills City Hall Fax: 377-7288 FROM: Debra Fournier 30 Crest Road East, Rolling Hills RE: Coyote concerns To whom it may concern, Thank you for listening to my concerns today about the coyote :racks that are now fearlessly roaming throughout Rolling Hills. I am forwarding a copy of a newspaper article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times earlier this week. Our si :cation appears to be very similar to theirs. Hopefully, you will do something to maximize the safety of the Rolling Hills residents before one of our own neighborhood children is maimed or killed. 1 will not be able to attend the January 16th meeting, and I want to be cc main that coy voice is heard regarding this matter. I would also appreciate it if you vt ould forward a copy of this letter to the RHCA Wildlife Committee for their upcoming meeting_ I have been very aware of coyotes on my property since May of 2001. I first spotted one walking around in my back yard, about 30 feet frorn my ba:k door, at about 7:30 one morning_ It was very scrawny -looking and I initially thought that it was an abandoned or lost dog_ I went outside to check if it had a dog license, F.nd realized that it wasn't a dog. It stared straight at me for a few seconds before running aff toward the back of my property and into the Purple Canyon brush. I continued to :pot various coyotes during the early morning or evening hours throughout the summer. I also heard and saw the remains of numerous small animal "killings" in my back y: trd at night. _ .not a very pleasant experience! In August, our family went on vacation. Upon returning, our house sitter (Ashley Gallagher) commented about how she had been afraid to go down to the barn to feed our horses because coyotes , traveling in pairs, were often hanging out then: —even during daylight hours. She stated that they were not at all afraid of her, as the: • would come very close and stare at her. Ashley's description was my exact experience. 1 he had been extremely concerned that they would attack our dog_ Their boldness sbr )eked her. For safety purposes; our dog was kept inside the house whenever she left. This is a practice that I now keep, as well. How sad that, although the coyotes have the freedom to roars my property whenever and wherever they desire, my own dog does not have that ability. I don't dare let my young grandchildren outside to play without very cbse supervision either. I continue to watch these coyotes roaming my backyard at all h, ►urs--both day and night. They are now very filled -out and healthy -looking. Just today, o: ie came quite near FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:22AM_ P2 me as i was mucking out my barn. 1 had to lock my dog in our tack roc m, as I was concerned she would be attacked. They. were clearly interested in her. Y understand that there are several coyote packs in various parts of the city. The particular pack near me is apparently living somewhere in the Purple C inyon brush. The pack is quite large, and they yip most every night as they begin their butt. 1 don't mind their yips, but I do mind the screams that follow from their attacks. Mo:t of the feral cats in our neighborhood haw disappeared_ The mouse and rat population, .iowever, is on the rise as the cats vanish_ The "barn life" makes this very obvious to me. Even though coyotes are supposed to eat these rodents, they have not been as succes::ful as the cats in minimizing their population_ I think the coyotes have been focusing on the larger critters, instead. At the suggestion of City Hall, 1 bad Animal Control drop off a :age in an attempt to trap the coyotes. I went through great effort to follow their guidelines. We were unsuccessful in all of, our efforts Animal Control confirmed that they lave not yet had one coyote caught in these traps, although they are receiving many rent: ests for them. These animals are simply too clever and too well fed from the wild critt ers that roam the canyons. A different method is needed. As the coyotes become more and more bold and the packs incre ise in size, my concern for human safety also increases proportionately. I think that it is time for our community to react more aggressively in pursuing their capture and ridding our neighborhood and its citizens of the danger that they impose on our • children and domestic animals,_Rs well as the peace and freedom they are stealing from us- The slow action (or lack thereof) being taken by our representative committ r.e is not enough. I realize that this is a very controversial subject but, in my opinion, the Wildlife Committee is on the wrong track_ Tam not certain that their opinions ate representative of the majority of our residents —particularly those of us in harm's way. Maybe all Rolling Hills residents need an opportunity to vote on this matter, rathe - than forcing us all to rely on the response of a few individuals who are biased toward tl tese dangerous, wild animals. I am hoping that whatever future response is taken regarcing the coyotes, it does not remain ineffective_ T also hope that it will not come'too late. 1 t will be a sad day when one of our own neighborhood toddlers is maimed or killed by one, of these wild anirnals Is that what it is going to take to get an appropriate response from our representatives? P.plice search for coyote th; it attacked girl ``ttom�. , Tottiviater Leffriesiolor IV ithset fitiultdow Ste ) fr Page I of 2 Police search for coyote that attacked girl NBC4_TV LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 - As state Fish and Gam; crews continued the search tonight for a coyote.that bit a 3 -year -old girl last weekend, the youngster continued to undergo precautionary rabie; treatments. The preschooler was on the front porch of her home in the 200 block of Segovia Avenue when the animal attacked her about 7:30 Saturday evening, said San Gabriel police Capt. Al Brandvold. Ramiro Virgen, the girls father, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the family was on its way to see some Christmas decorations_ "She walked out of the house first, and all of a sudden I heard the screams. When I ran outside, she was on her belly and the coyote was pulling at the hood" of her sweater, Virgen said. When he rolled his daughter over, he found a scrape on her forehead, a gash on her ear and bite marks on her shoulder. "The coyote wasn't showing any signs of fear either. He stood there watching for a while," he said. Fish and Game officials wished they had been notified sooner about the attack, which left the girl with wounds behind her left ear, and on her neck and shoulder, and required a total of 13 stitches to close. Mervin Hee of Fish and Game said had the animal been http://www.msnbc.com/lo;al/KNBC/NBC ! 1'RRODVC.asp g11111,.c 39 HIGH 6 LOW • TOP : . LOCI . LOCI • ;awl choose rr Fnim purl* dates __•-(ESPAf ORANC —VETO) • PALM - SANDII OTi�tER R1it duestlon our newSt Sand u9 E 12/19/01 bd Wey£z:ai Teez as •oaa . '0N aNOHd A : woad FROM : F Police search for coyote that attacked girl PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:24RM P5 Page 2 of 2 caught quickly DNA testing could have been dor a to determine if it was rabid, so the child would not ; iecessarily have to undergo the rabies treatments. Brandvold said this is the first time he can recall anyone in San Gabriel being attacked by a coyote. But Hee said such reports are becoming increase igly common. "Coyotes have attacked people nine times in the past year in Southern California," Hee said. "That's about twice as many as last year, which was twice as many as the yea - before." "What we have -- coyotes are losing their fear o, .' human beings. We are raising animals that have no feat of human beings;" he said. The basic problem, he said, is that coyotes have discovered easy food sources in towns adjacent the San Gal rriel Mountains: "This is the animals's habitat and our population i is expanding and so is theirs_ The food sources draw them ar.d they lose their fear of humans," he said. Hee said Fish and Game agents are getting goof 1 at catching coyotes with traps and snares. "Coyotes are ere:lures of habit and they will return to where they got food befc re," he said. "They are very social, pack -oriented animals, bit these animals (that come into urban areas) cannot just be put back in the wild. They won't be accepted" when retuned to the mountains, he said. MSNBC is optimized for: • Microsoft Internet Explorer • Windows Media Player • MSNBC Terms, Conditions and Privacy. 2001. Cover I News I Business I Sports I LOcaI 1 Health I Terhnologv 1 Livlr g & Travel TV News 1 Opinions 1 Weather I COmlcs 1 Irirormatlon Center 1 Halp I News Toole I Write Us I Terms. Conditions and Privacy http://www. msnbc.com/local/KNBC%NBCTTRRDDVC.asp 12/19/01 1 DEC -20-2001 09:29 5626691777 P.01J04 LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL 11258 So. Garfield Avenue, Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-8871 • 562) 869-1777 (fax) DOWNEY 11258 So. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-6898 (562) 861-9240 (fax) LANCASTER 5210 W. Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 (661) 723-3409 (fax) Marcia Mayeda, Director Shelter Locations BALDWIN PARK 4275 N. Elton Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 962-3577 (626) 960-8223 (fax) CASTAIC 31044 N. Charlie Cyn. Rd. Castaic, CA 91384 (661) 257-3191 (661) 295-1619 (fax) To: cAso.a p, Dept.: go l 14 6- Ili L L5 From: Date: CARSON 2.1.fi W. Victoria St. Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 523-9566 (310) 538-9229 (fax) AGOURA 29524 Agoura Rd. Agoura; CA 91301 (818) 991-0071 (818) 597-9818 (fax) _1» 1nn 76.hl-- 000101 b EAK rx494 G-- we„ - Rf - oo‘ 7-1K coN-r,q-cr /A) F -o Foe- yaV- r(1.5 r 7 l" zr') - rA)f- f _ )4/„ i r v (lover -Hi- oNE. L/ s; y /1/v6 F J (PRaAiie-V r9.r u /5 54/14C OR) , r ray Rom /- aenc DEC -20-2001 09:30 562E691777 P. 02/04 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES PUBLIC HEALTH - DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMS VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND RABIES CONTROL December 20, 2001 TO: Dr. Shirley Fannin Disease Control Programs FROM: C. Patrick Ryan, D.V. M., M.P.H. Chief, Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control SUBJECT: COYOTE ATTACKS 3 -YEAR -OLD GIRL A 3 -year -old girl was attacked on the family's front porch by a coyote in San Gabriel Saturday night. The girl was taken to the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and received 13 stitches to repair her ear. The victim is undergoing rabies treatment. The California Department of Fish and Game is on the hunt for the coyote, but have not found it. The search includes using an electronic device that makes the sounds of coyotes or house cats to attract the coyotes. If the animals come into sight, Fish and Game authorities use a rifle equipped with a silencer to kill them. Nonetheless, identification of the bitting coyote will be difficult. Coyotes are common in the foothill regions of the San Gabriel Valley. An increase in coyote attacks is being seen throughout Southern California. The animals usually hunt at night, preying on small animals, such as, mice, rabbits, squirrels and pets. In urban areas, coyotes supplement their diet with: garbage, feeding by people and eating food left out for pets. Dry river beds, washes, storm drains and canals often serve as a highway for coyotes in the urban area. Golf courses are another habitant for urban coyotes. Zoos have problems with coyotes preying on animal exhibits. In 1987 coyotes destroyed fifty- three flamingos at the Los Angeles Zoo. In past years, coyotes have killed penguins and other animals at the Los Angeles Zoo. In 199S, coyotes killed flamingos and a two -year -old Andean condor in the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park. After the 1995 problem, the zoo installed a six and a half mile perimeter fence around their facility to keep wildlife out. Coyotes once primarily lived in western North America. However, they now inhabit much of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and even parts of Central America. Some people believe that urban coyotes wandered in from the wilderness and the solution is to return the lost wildlife to their homes. However, urban wildlife are typically born in the city. Coyotes typically avoid people but may become brazen if they are hungry or diseased. One of DEC -20-2001 09:30 5626691777 P.03/04 the biggest threats coyotes pose for people, are attacks, especially on children. In 1979, a coyote attempted to drag a 13 -month -old baby out of a yard in Agoura. In 1981, a coyote killed a 3 - year -old girl in her Glendale yard. In 1995 there were several coyote attacks on people in Griffith Park. In July of this year, a 3 -year -old boy was treated for a puncture wound to his right knee and given rabies prevention shots after being bitten by a coyote in Irvine's San Leandro Park. Infectious disease surveillance on coyotes has been conducted in Los Angeles County (Coyotes and Practitioners. PULSE 39(7), 1997. Seroepidemiology ofBartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii Infection in California Coyotes, 1994-1998 Emerging Infectious Diseases. 5(5), 2000). Results of restricted infectious disease surveillance in local coyotes are listed in table 1. Of the ten diseases, 80 percent are zoonoses. With closure of the animal diagnostic laboratory, future surveillance will be difficult. Table 1 Infectious diseases detected in local coyotes American trypanosomiasis* yes Hepatozoonosis no Babesiosis yes Histoplasmosis** yeS Bartonellosis yes Hookworms Ye Blastomycosis yes Plague Yea Canine hepatitis no Scabies y Typically transmitted by triatomine bugs. ** Infection follows inhalation of mold in soil or dust contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Attachment: Diseases Detected in Los Angeles County Coyotes c. Dr. Karen Ehnen, Dr. Brit Ouilfstad, Dr. Ashley Robinson, Dr. Cassandra Smith and Marcia Mayeda "Dedicated to better health in man and animal by the control of disease common to both" Established 1872 coyote -memo 1.wpd DEC -20-2001 09:31 5626691777 P.04'04 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - DEPARTMENT OOF EAL PROGRAMS PUBLIC DEAL - DISEASE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND RABIES CONTROL Diseases Detected in Los Angeles County Coyotes 1. American trypanosorniasis (Chagas' disease) is transmitted by triatomine bugs. Infection can also be transmitted by blood transfusions or transplacentally. The disease can affect the heart, esophagus, colon and brain. It is seen in: people, cats, dogs opossums, rats, and other mammals. 2. Babesiosis is a parasite of the red blood cells that affects a variety of animals and occasionally people. The disease is transmitted by ticks. Symptoms may be fever, anemia, jaundice or reddish urine. 3. Bartonella species have been identified in a wide range of mammalians, including cats, dogs, rodents and people. A 1994-1998 CDC study found bartonellosis to be common in Southern California coyotes. Antibody prevalence to Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii was 34 percent. 4. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection most commonly seen in cats, dogs and people. It is found in the soil and when the soil is stirred up, the organism is aerosolized and can be inhaled. The lungs are often infected, with symptoms of fever and coughing. 5. Canine hepatitis, a viral disease seen in dogs, coyotes and other wildlife. Symptoms vary from a fever to death. The disease does not affect people. 6. Hepatozoonosis, a dog disease transmitted by ticks, with symptoms of fever and emaciation. The disease does not affect people. 7. Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection of people and animals contracted from soil that contains bat or bird manure. The disease can be fatal, but is treatable. 8. Hookworms, a roundworm that lives in the digestive tract of animals, sucks blood and heavy infections cause anemia. The larva can penetrate human skin and cause "creeping eruptions". 9. Plague is a disease historically transmitted by infected fleas. Most infected coyotes and dogs do not develop symptoms of the disease. But infected cats develop the disease similar to that in people. Infected cats run a fever, develop tender, swollen lymph nodes and may die. 10. Scabies is a mite infection of the skin. The mites cause crusts and scabs on the body. In coyotes affected areas include: the ears, elbows and face. People can obtain the parasite by handling infected animals. Symptoms in people include scratching and small red dots on the skin in contact with infected animals. coyote -disease 1.wpd TOTAL P.04 The Collanum Humane Trapping Device http://www.collarum. t. r ri Mountain, IInc. Lee Traps and Predator Restraints PO. Box 132 Lander,. Wyoming 882520 (307)332-4641 (347)335-9718 Home Page I1r;t e Pro41lct 11 t'rnation tided c lip Parts and Supplies Setting. {rUCtiOiiS Dealer "1',,sst ittluttiaAs • . Litii�s . Contact The Collarum TM - Canine Capture Device Live Capture or Lethal Control lot'3 12/134)1 3:42 PM The Collarum - Testimonial Tog.. lowl•EI 12/20/01 8:59 AM Testimonials Testimonials for the Collarum" 101.16041.1.71 Just to update you, we caught a second coyote in a Collarum" today only despite some very determined efforts to escape, was completely uninjured We had great success using the Collarum" last week right in the middle of three coyotes. None of the animals suffered injuries from the trap. For bait the "T" bait cap. The fleece or towel was then soaked with a slurry of canr Ray Smith L. A. County AgriculturalCommissioner Dept. Arcadia, CA Just a quick note to let you know I have only had one occasion to use the snare) Coyote on campus in June prior to our graduation, and Collarum'd I a cubby type set. The coyote was tired as heck and the former clump was trap and have recommended it to. L.A. Co. and others! Now onto other research, so bye for now and congratulations on your greE Rex Baker ROMAB Enterprises, Inc. Corona, CA "I put the Collarum" out the first weekend I got it. In three days I caught tw had been after for two years. They'd run out of options. I look forward to u: Gary Beeman Avian Pest Control Lafayette; CA ["I've caught] Two dogs, 1 yote and 1 ole wolf (timber). I cant say enough center them on the pull tab , you got em! I put a paws trip shock spring or damage outside of animals, (24 hr check) wolf and yote were easier to rele normal gait, yote and wolf actually stopped and looked back when aways a Owner of animal control company in Wisconsin I have used the Collarum" for two months and have had great success. Sc have started cleaning up our city and dogs bothering local livestock. Rick Gonzalez Grand Junction, CO [Home] [Product.lnformation] [Parts and Supplies] [Testinonialsj [Contact Green. Mountain] [Dealer.:Inowres] [Video] [Links] [Setting Instructions] The Collarum 12/20/01 8:59 AM Home Green Mountain, Inc. E -Z Lee Traps and Predator Restraints P.O. Box 132 Lander, Wyoming 82520 (307)332-4649 Fax: (307)335.9718 Product Information Video Clip Parts and Supplies Setting Instructions Product Information "I put the Collarum out the first weekend I got it.' In three days I caught two feral dogs that local Animal Control Officers had been after for two years.° They had run out of options.° I look forward to using it again in similar circumstances." Gary Beeman Avian Pest Control Lafayette, CA The Collarumcc°° Pricing and Specifications Deluxe Model° Stainless Steel° • Reusable galvanized steel cable • No rusting • Low maintenance 1iin. :His I .. ...if.. L. •.« es..:.:. , ..s The Collarum • Weight 2 Ibs • Cable Specs: (3/16 7x19, or 5/32"° 7x7 aircraft cable) • Adjustable trigger tension Pricing: • $59.95 each • $330 for 6 • $600 for 12" Standard Model Hot Roll Steel° • Less expensive • Higher maintenance • Weight 2 lbs • Reusable galvanized steel cable • Cable Specs: (3/16"' 7x.19, or 5/32`'° 7x7 aircraft cable) • Adjustable trigger tension Pricing: • $44.95 each • $250 for 6 • $450 for 12° For an information packet, please call (307)3324649 or click. here. 12/20/01 8:59 AlVi [Home] [Product Information) [Parts and_Supolies] [testimonials]` [Contact Green _Mountain) [Dealer inquires) [Video] [Links) [Setting._ Instructions] The Collarum Humane Trappi )evice 12/20/01 9:00 AM Green Mountain, Inc. E -Z Lee Traps and Predator Restraints P.O. Box 132 Lander, Wyoming 82520 (307)332-4649 Fax: (307)335-9718 Home Product Information Video Clip Part. and Supplies Setting . Instructions Home Page The Collarum" -e Canine Capture Device Live Capture or Lethal Control The Collarum" • 100% Canine Specific*• dog, fox, dingo. • 70% of coyotes show n significant' injury unde international standard! • Safe to use in urban se around livestock. • Adjustable trigger • Reusable cable The Collarum" -° Canine Capture Device Designed to Meet International Hum; Standards There is a worldwide demand for more humane devices to capture animals, both fur bearers anc December 20, 2001 Marcia Mayeda Director Administrative Office 11258 S. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-8871 Fax (562) 869-1777 Shelter Locations 11258 S. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-6898 216• W. Victoria St. Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 523-9566 4275 No. Elton Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 962-3577 5210 W. Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93536 (805) 940-4191 31044 N. Charlie Cyn. Rd Castaic. CA 91384 (805) 257-3191 29525 Agoura Rd. Agoura. CA 91301 (818) 991=0071 Craig R. Nealis City Manager & City Clerk City of Rolling Hills 2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, California 90274 Dear Mr. Nealis: fitt CO NU TY OF LOS ANGELES ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL In response to your inquiry about coyote abatement, our research has determined that coyotes can legally be trapped and removed from areas where their presence poses a danger to humans, domestic animals and livestock. Under California law, steel jaw, leg -hold traps are illegal, and may not be used. The City of Rolling Hills could set out padded leg hold traps, provided you have received permission to do so from the California Department of Fish and Game. In Los Angeles County, unless a local government chooses to do the work itself, the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is responsible for coyote abatement efforts. That agency reports success using a snare trap that avoids the legal pitfalls of the leg -hold trap. The City might wish to contact Ray Smith at Agriculture/Weights and Measures at (626) 450-7445 for further information. Or, as an alternative, the City or its residents might wish to consider purchasing snare traps directly from the Lander, Wyoming firm that manufactures them and deploy the traps on an as -needed basis in areas of Rolling Hills where coyote predation poses a specific problem. Home owners would not require a permit to deploy these traps on their property. However, since the City of Rolling Hills has no leash law, anyone setting up any kind of live -catch animal trap on his or her property would be well advised to monitor the trap at least on a daily basis to make sure a neighbor's pet did not accidentally trip the capture mechanism and become trapped. Animal control officers from our agency would remove and euthanize any coyotes trapped in the City. Craig R. Nealis City of Rolling Hills Coyote Abatement December 20, 2001 Also, a number of other cities that, like Rolling Hills, have problems of coyote predation, have crafted a multi -faceted approach to the matter. In addition to their local abatement efforts, they also conduct public education/awareness campaigns. I am including some literature developed for those campaigns for your consideration as a supporting effort to coyote trapping and removal. Sincerely, for Marcia Mayeda Director Judy .Meraz Deputy Director WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS Coyotcs.gct._comfoftab1c1.wii - ,. .:z' -' d.ab"�11i;Tl ... 't y•_. .xn-. -.isi-°-4:..-. • By MiChael Gouge 7P/940,,E STat?a .Wtintx ' 7/0#,r - es been a good year for wildlife. Coyotes not ex- ceiited- The sing-alongs of cans la rum pierce the night •• air,;and coyotes have been re- ported attacking pets and raid • ing garbage cans. - "All the foothill communities are`teporting coyote sightings. • -They've becon a very comfort.- ' able around humans," said Mar- ' sha Wyatt, supervisor of field . servibes at the Pomona .Valley Hiutatie Society. . Sometimes too comfortable. • Earlier this spring, a sick, malnourished coyote bit a child in San Dimas, said.. Wyatt, • . whose agency handles wildlife control . in several foothills com- munities. ,.Officers hunted down and killed the animaL . . ' Griffith Park rangers said • Wednesday 'that five coyettes • ' have been captured and killed -since one of them attacked -a toddler last week during a fami- . ly picnic: The girl was treated • for_ minor wounds and rele i Rangers,believe a single fami- ly of `'urbanuzed` coyotes is re- sponsible for: the attack on the 15 -month -old girl; and they are Worried more coyotes are learn - trig -Seine bad habits that are • endangering • human visitors. The heavy rains df the last yearallowed the plant life in the ;Angeles National, Forest to flourish, igniting a chain-reac- tioic that means more of the an- iqials'that;feed'on those plants aril"more of thh'predators that feed on those anithals. • tJsnally;: it's riot a problem, wildlife officials say. Healthy coyotes are, in a wont; coward- ly. -•- • But sickones — or those A COYOTE can be seen near the tional Monument. The. animals treated kindly by people — will roam back yards, invade garag- es, attack pets and scrounge through garbage cans. ' Much of the time as with most wildlife,t,,they're co i ilg down out of the' hills for some- thing they find attractive that people don't think about — dishes of pet food; for example. But eradication isn't always the answer. Wyatt recalls an in- cident that happened years ago ' in a foothill town Where a new development went up. The new residents, unaccustomed 'to the presence ofthe wily, critters, had them all exterminated. Now, she says, residents com- plain constantly about rabbits. "Maybe they need a+few. coy- otes up there," Wyatt' chuckled. — tatty News Seruiae cvntribut- ed to this story. Staff file photo by GREG ANDERSEN road below Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree .Na- have been . causing some problems locally.' humans .LIVING WITH COYOTES Coyotes are garbage -can bandits, Humane Society officials say. 'Here are some tips on living with these wild neighbors:" `' • • ' .• ■ If you encounter a coyote, shout, scream or make any kind of, loud noise. Coyotes are not normally aggressive towarld humans. ■ Since coyotes like meat and fish dishes, be sure to fasten gar • - bage-can lids tightly. Coyotes also will eat oats, vegetables and fn,its. • Be sure to pick up your pets' dishes if you feed them outdoors, • or better yet, feed them inside or in an enclosed area. • Keep your pets, especially gh especial cats, inside at rii t. • Erect fences, or walls, • where possible. They should be high enough to keep this larger canine away and out cif your back yard. • Clear away bushes and dense weeds where rodents, reptiles and insects dwell. ihe•greater part of a coyote's diet consists of these critters, so keeping them away and off your property will help keep the coyote at bay; too. • if you spot 'a coyote; or other wild animal that looks ill, don't touch it or try to capture it _ call your local animal control agency. — Source Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, Calij: rB2/40at4as 9fialwyto =u eArsdea4 P.O. Box 2025 Hollywood. CA 90028 HOW TO COEXIS ►.' WITH COYOTES DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HILLSIDE RESIDENTS (213) 24.3-0131 Hillside housing developments have been built on wildlife habitat which has displaced a great number of wild creatures. Some urbanites wishing to live close to nature choose to live in the hills and have accepted the natural setting. However, others are determined to change their environment to suit their own individual needs and want to rid the hills of native wildlife. This invariably has created a conflict. To those who love wild animals and to those who dislike them, the best advice is to leave them alone. Coyotes are naturets exterminators and have a useful function in the eco- system. They keep the hills clean of carrion and rodents. If it was not for predators we would be overrun with rats, mice, gophers and rabbits. Large predators such as wolves and coyotes have been maligned, persecuted and ex- terminated in large.numbers. This has caused a dramatic increase in unwanted rodent populations everywhere which has reached epidemic proportions. For this reason a healthy coyote population in the hills is desirable. Besides being useful, wildlife has an aesthetic value. It is refreshing to have a touch of wilderness in a metropolitan area such as Los Angeles. Do not fear coyotes, they will not attack humans unless threatened or pro- voked. Contrary to general belief, there were no rabid coyotes in this area for many years. If some simple rules are observed,coexistence with wildlife could become a reality. Those who live in coyote country should: * Keep pets in fenced -in backyards. * Never allow pets to run free. It is . a fallacy that cats are outdoor creatures. They make better pets if kept indoors. * Free -roaming domestic dogs, joined by feral dogs, forming packs, are de- structive. They kill small pets and wild animals and attack people. They also breed with coyotes and the hybrids are more aggressive than coyotes and are unafraid of man. For these reasons keep your dogs under control at all tunes. Never feed wild animals. The regular feeding of gild creatures will entice an excess number of animals into the area while others, who dislike them, will alert the animal control agencies and the animals will be eventually destroyed. These well-meaning but uninformed individuals who lure the animals into the area have created the existing problems. * Do not try to tame wild creatures or treat than as if they were domestic animals. It takes many pears of study to understand their behavior patterns. * Never leave pet dishes in backyards. The animals will develop a taste for pet food and will return regularly looking for an easy meal. The lids of trash cans must be secured and placed in an enclosed area. If this is not possible, ammonia should be poarsd over the garbage (just a few drops) which wil repel wild animals and dogs. * Coyote -proof fencing is most effective for the security of small pets and for the peace of mind of pet owners. The reason that coyotes in this area are gradually losing the natural fear of man is due to the fact that they ha -:e been fed regularly. It is unnatural and bad for the animals and also creates problems for humans. In all other areas coyotes are afraid of humans. The Los Angeles coyotes are known for having been "programmed" not to be afraid of humans. This is why they are being seen in the daytime in residential areas. For this the people, who cre- ated this abnormal situation, ahall be blamed and not the coyotes. HOW TO "DEPROGRAM" COYOTES In order to undo the harm and to re-establish a normal situation, coyotes have to be "deprog"ainmed." This can be accomplished by making them again afraid of humans whica will save their lives in the long run. Loud noises scare animals. Whenever they come too close to populated areas they should be frightened away by: Banging on kitchen pots. Blowing whistles. x Using rattles or any other noise -makers. Shouting at them loudly. The above -mentioned methods will be effective in keeping coyotes away fram backyards. This should be kept up each time they are visible until they will stop coming too close to residential areas. Coyotes are very smart and after a while they will get the message that they are not welcome. Only a combined effort and cooperation will assure the success of this program. If only one person on a street will continue feeding the an1^ra1 s or leave pet food outdoors, the scheme will not work. Cooperation with neighbors is essential. It would be advisable to set up a neighborhood committee and meet once a -month to discuss the problems and the progress of this program. If the above -mentioned suggestions are observed coexistence with wildlife is possible. For questions or unusual problems contact us and we will do our best to help. • • To keep animal in their natural habitat wildlife drinking station has been installed in Glendale, California through the efforts of California Wildlife Defenders. This material has been based on earlier publication "Eow to Coexist with Wildlife in Urban Communities." Copyright, 1975 California Wildlife Defenders, 1978 April 5, 193= COYOTE PROFILE Waiter E. Howard Wildlife and Fisheries Biology University of California Davis, California 95616 401 ezmattrso Coyotes have high genetic plasticity and environmental adaptability. Individual coyotes vary considerably; for example, some adults weigh twice as much as other healthy, well-fed coyotes in the same locality. They adapt to many kinds of man -modified environments.. Some have learned to live with man as a commensal predator, e.g.', Los Angeles. Coyotes have greatly extended their geographic range during the last century from western United States to all 48 states, Canada, Alaska, and south to Costa Rica. The diet of coyotes is highly variable, but coyotes are an effective predator and in many situations readily kill cats, dogs, deer, livestock, and other large prey. The fecundity of a'coyote population will usually be low when the coyote population is bleb or its food base is low, but their reproductive success is likely to be high if the coyote population is not dense and its prey base is high. Unlike wolves, coyotes usually are solitary or family -group hunters. There seems to be a reverse relationship between population density of coyotes with that of foxes and bobcats. Coyote populations are regulated more by the annual population density of their prey than the reverse. Their mode of attacking the throat.of sheep is an innate, not learned, behavior. Coyote control is not needed in "natural" environments, but it may be called for in situations where man has created conditions that enable coyotes to be highly successful and to prosper. Congress first appropriated funds in 1915 to control coyotes because of rabies and to protect livestock. One reason the coyote is often such a pest is because he can adapt so well to man -altered environments. Coyotes kill and eat livestock in a very inhumane way. Our research has shown that it took coyotes an averae of 13 minutes to kill sheep after they attacked there in the throat_, and that they often ate the entrails before the sheep were dead. c?, 2 When a Barbados ram was y.,,. chased by the University of ___ifornia to see if more sell -defense of coyotes could be bred into the sheep at the hopland Field Station, an injured "tame" coyote escaped and the only sheep it killed that night was the Barbados ram.(End of breeding project:) It is easy to verify coyote kills of sheep by the characteristic puncture wounds and evidence of hemorrhaging present on the neck of the dead sheep. Most coyotes cannot be successful conditioned (aversive conditioning) so they will not kill sheep (or other species) by using lithium chloride. Regardless of the degree of conditioning coyotes have received against the killing of certain prey species, or even odor -labeled individual prey, they may get into a killing frenzy (overkill) and then accept the inevitable "punishment" by con- tinuing• to kill treated prey. 1TIo one method of controlling coyotes is satisfactory in all situations. Coyotes cannot be successfully trapped in large, dog live -traps, and they can detect the smell of steel of buried traps. The only way of preventing large numbers of coyotes from dying naturally or from being killed each year is to artificially keep their numbers at very low levels (prophylactic control). It is more humane and environmentally desirable to use prophylactic techniques and keep coyotes at low numbers in those localities where they cannot be tolerated for other reasons rather than to let them increase only to then be periodically killed. • Coyote control incorporates IPM (integrated pest management goals), for lethal methods are used only as a last resort. Unfortunately, the most effective "biological control" method against coyotes is to eliminate rodents and rabbits - It is true that quite a few covet_es,can be poisoned or otherwise removed without affecting the overall coyote population density, yet at the sane time such control may greatly reduce the predation losses of livestock. Since coyotes are high up on the food -web pyramid, they are not very significant ecologically. The prinary producers and first laver of consumers are the key to adequate recycling of resources in the environment. With widely spaced 1080 bait stations, overall kit fox populations were shown to increase. Ten -eighty kills coyotes far more humanely than nature does. Many of the charges about the killing of nontarget species when poisoning coyotes with 1080 are biological impossibilities, even if the objective was to poison these other. species. Compound 1080 is not an "indiscriminate" toxicant that "concentrates" in the food chain like DDT, but rather it is the most selective predacide for coyote control available. .COYOTE ALERT Orange County is undergoing extensive urban development. This has brought about some undesirable encounters with animals other than our domestic dogs and cats. One of the most reported incidents concerns sighting of coyotes. A brief overview of this highly adaptable creature follows for your information. Coyotes range from Central America to the Arctic. Almost every state in the U.S.A., every province in Canada, and all of Mexico is the home range for this truly unique creature. In form and size, coyotes resemble a small Collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle and bushy tail. Coloration of the animal may vary from light grey to nearly black to red or nearly . white. Most active at night or during early rnorrting hours, their good eyesight and keen sense of smell are of great value in locating food sources, such as small live animals, carrion, fruits. garbage or pct foods. These suggestions may help if you have a present problem with coyotes or may be of benefit in the prevention of problems. DO • Feed pets indoors or promptly remove food dishes when pets have completed their outdoor feeding. * Store bags of commercial pet food indoors. • Clear brush and dense weeds from around the area. * Fence your yard to keep out unwanted animals. DON'T • Feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. * Use plastic bags as trash containers. • Put trash out the night before pick-up, but rather on the scheduled day of service, at the latest chance. * Allow small domestic pets to run at large at any time. They are an easy prey for coyotes. * Put trash in strong barrels with tight lids. Orange County Animal Control will respond to complaints about coyotes which have become a threat to humans or are observed during daylight hours. Due to the nature and characteristics of the coyote, the responding animal control officer will make the determination of what techniques or methods may be utilized in repelling the animal. The officer will also educate residents in steps that may be helpful in preventing future problems. The trapping of coyotes has been found controversial and "not effective" in solving the urban coyote problem. Orange County Animal Control will not trap coyotes unless one is found to be involved in a bite to a human. REMEMBER: Treat the coyote as you would any wild animal, do not attempt to capture, feed, or make "friends" with it. If you observe any coyote attacking a pet or observe any person coaxing an animal into their vehicle or possession, get a description of the person and/or vehicle and call 911, your local police or the Orange County Animal Control. For service please contact Orange County Animal Control at 935-7419 Protect Children Alt-iou.gh rare, coyote attacks have .seriously injured young children. Never leave sma<I children unattended, in areas known to _be frequented by coyotes, even in your -yard. '":Protect Pets. and Livestock Keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors. Don'tallow them to run free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Some coyotes seek cats in residential areas. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark, and never be allowed: to run loose. Rabbit hutches should have a solid bottom. A �rutch standing above ground, with only a wire bottom, makes your rabbit an easy mark. When building a chicken coop, dig a one -foot trench around its perimeter. Extend the chicken wire fence well into the trench, then bury it. Use Negative Reinforcement If coyotes begin frequenting your neighborhood, let them know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose. For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural; wariness of humans. If coyote problems persist, contact your local city government or county agricultural commissioner for assistance. • • • • Report Threats and Attacks Immediately If you see a coyote behaving aggressively or attackingpeople, contact the nearest office of the California Department of Fish and Game during regular business hours: Mon- day through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If an encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call the Department of Fish and Game's 24 -hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The Department will take appropriate action. California Department of Fish & Game Offices Northern California (530) 225-2300 Sacramento Valley/Central Sierra Nevada (.916) 358-2900 Central Coast (707) 944-5500 San Joaquin Valley/Southern Sierra Nevada (209) 222-3761 Southern California (310) 590-5132 Eastern Sierra (619) 872-1 171 Living With California Coyotes California Department of Fish & Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, California 95814 C odes I-., California ,. Observhg wild animaic is'orgy c.f the many benefits of living n or near Idllf� habitat. The experiences can tur,i • unpleasant cr even dangerous, ho,ivever, • when well-�reanirg pee) fee:,: When fed by pe0p1e, coyotes becci rt unnaturally bold and the result'i5 corv,fii between coyotes and .people, which too often ends in serials warm" or even death,: to people or the coyotes. '- The: coyote (C.an!~slatrarr ); a member of the dog family, is native to 'Callf'orriia. it closely resemoles a small- G.ermar shepherd dog wit'i tie ekeotiori Of the long snout and busy, `b'Cat<yiippej,tii, The coyote's `tigh-pitcf led_ yodel -It' e yapp ng; can frequently be 'lead Coyotes are ertrernely adapLiblr, Lit can survive on whatever food - s' .��-,��,. f✓1 ,. They hunt rabbits, mice, bircs and /uFfr;,)r�� rfl f l i c 1 '71 .7Cr ref>r ; 1r , � . the wwrr»»r cOrri,ote, r(JI 1tlf; ;1 r py1j:IL >f . r h+'Jib 1 � li %sit qo.. P 3.tle � ,` P P • Help Keep Coyotes Wild We can reduce conflicts with coyotes by ensuring that they remain cautious of humans. Practice these safety guidelines and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Never Feed a Coyote Deliberately feeding coyotes.puts you, your pets and your neighbors at risk. Some communities have ordinances that ban feeding of coyotes or other wildlife. You may be inadvertently feeding coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage where they can get to it. Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes when pets finish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors. Use trash cans with lids, that clamp shut, which will prevent spilling if the cans are tipped over. If you leave garbage outside, don't use trash bags as garbage containers; coyotes can easily rip them 'open and scatter the contents. Put trash containers out the morning of the scheduled pick-up, rather than the night before. This will give the coyote less time to scavenge. Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings to reduce protective cover for coyotes and make the area less attractive to rodents. Coyotes and other predators may be attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, such as wood and brush piles and seed storage areas. THE COY0rE Some people know him as the Prairie W:lf, but he's smaller than a wo , weghing be- tw:- and 30 pounds. He's a greyish, tawny brown in color, an• often ha a black tip .n hi -'1 :which, in a healthy animal, is round and bush ,,:-.1,7=;.; ...-.-_ _:.ice .1-.L.._+_'s °l 17......♦ "" ._ ..... _ .. .,..,-,,..1 A e oj He li - s in nearly e . part of California, from. the low : eserts to the hi est mountai • ranges. He can sL: ist on almost any kind of f .od from rodents to bbish, from ins-cts to fruit to carrio He and his mate may pair for life, maint g and defending particular territory. Sc-nt�nmr-ks.ar&left at various places to am other coyotes that area is occupied. Within each pair's territory there are ely,.to be one or more dens and places where surplus food, f any, is cached. His den maybe one the coyote digs f. himself or a natural hole he adapts to his own needs._ Hark Twain called the most friendless of God's creatures. Today hi principal enemy is civilization. As housing developments, shopping centers and dustrial com- plexes spread, nature's alance is. disturbed, the food chain is affec ed, and animals are forced to move or a•. apt. The coyote has done both. But he has survived by being one of the most adaptiv creatures on earth. `! 1� n :5 1....nans beg_gan encrOaC vanced again, the coyot habit the desert, the co to the sight of,humans. less timid than he once as. S quently_bs seen...at_ mill.. , and s territory t oyote moved array..When ;opla ad-. re ,eated again. Today, with the exception of t e mho. in- .te .s no place to go. He's become more and morgcustomed f d, half tame, he ay not welcome our cony, but he's resifrits- airi • t co... s can fre- ot intimidated by Bouts or physical th pats. 4 Part of the blame Z'or this co` 'ti .tfust be borne by those humane individu ss who, a mis• feelingo pity, havia fed uiid animals. Though they meant to be out of pity, kind they have, ,in fact, crea d a dal rot's- dependency, bri n i l �oy.otes-int2foothi l7 neighborhoods search of pet food; -livestock feed, and even small pets. Since.,_..by-nature, he prefers to live and hunt in the wild, sticking to a diet of rodents and other small animals, the coyote may once again learn to keep his distance. It would - not be possible to destroy the entire coyote population; It is imperative that we find :Jays to coexist with these animals and minimize the problems _this situation creates. IF YOU LIVE IN COYOTE -=VCR; PROTECT YOUR: CHILDREN. Unless he's cornered, a coyote is unlikely to attack a human. However, small children have, in rare instances, been attacked. They should be under the watch- ful eye of an adult at all times. SMALL PETS. Cats and small dogs should be kept indoors both day and night. LARGE PETS. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark. A dog in heat will attract coyotes. They may jump the fence to reach her. Your male dog, normally well-behaved, may jump or dig his way out of your yard to join a coyote pack at night. SpAying a female andneutering a male uill eliminate a great part of this problem. Even so, they should be indoors at night to prevent possible territorial disru 6g-mith-coyotes and other dogs. flown -,..To prevent a coyote from digging under the chicken coop: Attach chicken wire to the bottom of the fence. Run it out a foot or more, parallel to the ground, securing it well; or bury cinder blocks directly under the fence, all the way around the coop. RABBITS .Outfit .a rabbit hutch with a solid bottom, possibly with a sliding tray for easy cleaning. A hutch standing above ground, with only a wire-bottocir makes your rabbit an easy mark for a coyote. ..ALL =wpm PETS AND LIVESTOCK. --To- prevent a coyote from scaling a fence attach ex- tenders to the top of fence posts. (Extenders can be purchased from fence dealers.). Run two or three strands of wire, aktending.out at -an angle, for .about -14 inches all the uay around the fences SO}4E ADDITIONAL DOs and .DON'TS DO feed pets indoors DO cover trash cans tightly. DNIT store pet food or food of any kind outside. Keep it in -8 closed garage- or storage building. DON'T feed coyotes or any uild animals - Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control United States Department of 'Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control MANAGING URBAN/SUBURBAN COYOTE PROBLEMS Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found throughout most of California. The California Department of Fish and Game estimates a population range of 250,000 to 750,000 individuals. Coyotes are very adaptable and inhabit most areas of the state with the exception of the centers of major metropolitan areas. They are medium sized animals belonging to the dog family. Most adults weigh between 22 to 25 pounds on the average, with males being the larger sex. With Large erect ears, slender muzzle, and bushy tail they resemble a small collie dog. In the hotter drier regions of California, coyotes are tan -brown in color with streaks of gray. In the more mountainous or humid areas the color is darker with less brown. In the winter the coats become quite dense, especially in the colder areas. The voice of the coyote is quite distinctive, consisting of .various howls, high-pitched yaps, and occasional dog lice barks. Coyotes are proficient predators, possessing the speed, strength, and endurance necessary to tackle prey as large as adult deer. BIOLOGY In California, coyotes breed mainly during January, February, and March. The gestation period is about 60-63 days. Young are born March through May, with litter sizes averaging 5-6 pups. Coyotes produce one litter per year. The young are weaned at 5 to 6 weeks and leave the parents at 6 to 9 months. Most adults breed first in their second year. Nonbreeding, yearling, coyotes often stay with the adult parents and help care for the pups. Coyote dens are found in steep banks, rock crevices, sinkholes, and underbrush. Coyote dens are often holes that have been used by badger, skunks, foxes, or other animals with entrances enlarged to about one foot in diameter. Dens vary from 4 to 5 feet deep to 50 feet deep. The diet of the coyote consists mainly of mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and carrion. They also eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, birds and their eggs; and deer fawns. In some rural areas of California they prey heavily on sheep, cattle, and poultry. In urban and suburban areas, garbage, domestic cats and dogs, other pets, hobby animals, and pet food can be important food items. Coyotes are most active at nightand during the early morning and late evening hours. In areas where they are not disturbed by human activities, and during the cooler times of the year, they may be active throughout the day. Urban coyotes are becoming very tolerant of human activities. Young coyotes tend to be more active -during daylight hours than adults. Home range size varies depending on food availability. DAMAGE ' Coyotes can cause substantial damage. In rural areas they oftentimes kill sheep, calves, and poultry. In some parts of the state they cause damage to drip irrigation systems by biting holes in the pipe. In other areas they cause considerable damage to watermelons, citrus fruits, and avocados. Aircraft safety is often jeopardised when coyotes take up residence on or near runways: Coyotes have also been known to prey on various endangered/threatened species including the San Joaquin kit fox and the California least tern. In urban and suburban areas, coyotes commonly take domestic house cats, 'small dogs, poultry, and other domestic animals. Coyotes have been known to attack humans, and In one case, a three -year -old girl was killed by a coyote in southern California. DISEASE Distemper and canine hepatitis are among the most common diseases of coyotes. Rabies and tularemia also occur and may be transmitted to humans and other animals. Coyotes often carry parasites including mites, ticks, fleas, worms, and flukes. Mites which cause sarcoptic mange are an important ectoparasite of coyotes. Heartworm is one of the most important endopa.rasites in California's coyote population. This parasite can be transmitted to domestic dogs by mosquitoes. PROBLEM PREVENTION Coyotes are attracted to urban/suburban areas by the easy accessibility of food, water, and shelter. Reducing or eliminating the :availability of these elements will often encourage coyotes to leave. Garbage can lids should be secured at all times or garbage stored indoors. Pets should be fed during daylight hours and all pet food removed before darkness. Water bowls should be emptied and not left out after dark. Ripe fruits and vegetables should be covered at night or the garden/fruit trees enclosed by a coyote proof fence to prevent access by hungry coyotes. All windfall fruit/vegetables should be picked up daily. In areas where predation on pets has been documented, cats and small dogs should not be left out after dark unless enclosed in a coyote proof enclosure. Food should never intentionally be left out for wild mammals. In suburban areas where livestock such as lambs, piglets, calves, or poultry are raised and coyote predation has been documented, precautions should be taken to prevent further losses. Animals can be brought into barns, sheds, or coyote proof enclosures at night, or in certain instances the confinement areas can be lit at night. To exclude coyotes, fences should be constructed which are at least 5 1/2 feet tall. These can be made of solid wood, cement blocks, brick, or wire. If net wire fencing is used, the bottom portion should be at least 3 1/2 feet tall with squares smaller than 6 inches. If high tensile fence is used, it should be electrified with a fence charger to prevent coyotes from going through. All fences should have some sort of galvanized wire apron buried at Least 4 to 6 inches in the ground which extends out from the fence at least 15 to 20 inches. The apron should be securely attached to the bottom of the fence. Coyotes are very adept diggers and prefer to dig under fences rather than jump them. Brush and vegetation should be cleared from backyards and adjacent areas to eliminate habitat for prey which could attract coyotes. Landscaping should be pruned on a regular basis. These actions also remove hiding cover used by coyotes to stalk domestic pets. If cats cannot be contained indoors, acid predation is viewed as a problem, posts cart be installed in open space areas which provide an escape for the cats. These posts should be at least 7 feet tall, made of material that the cat can climb, and have enough space on top for the cat to sit. During the time of the year when adult coyotes are caring for young (May -September), they can be very aggressive when their young are threatened. Domestic dogs are especially vulnerable to attack during this time. ven dogs on leases have been attacked when they got too close to a family of coyotes. In urban settings where a den site has been identified, caution should be taken to keep dogs out of the area. These areas should be posted with signs and people concerned about attacks on their dogs should avoid the area. Increased predation on domestic pets can be expected around den sites, and FRONT extra precautions should be taken by residents to protect valued domestic cats or small dogs. In some cases a family group of coyotes can be harassed enough to encourage them to move. Whenever possible, coyotes should be harassed or scared to condition them to avoid humans. DIRECT CONTROL Where coyotes continue to be a problem after non- lethal methods have proven unsuccessful or when human health and safety is jeopardized, it is sometimes necessary to kill one or more animals. Coyotes can be shot where legal and appropriate or captured using a variety of restraining devices. Generally speaking, cage traps are not effective in capturing adult coyotes. LAWS AND REGULATIONS Coyotes are not threatened or endangered in California. They are classified as ttongame mammals, by the Department of fish and Game and as such can be taken at any time using approved methods. California Department of Fish and Game regulations prohibit the relocation of coyotes without written permission from the Department. For further information on the legal status of coyotes and other wildlife contact your local California Department of Fish and Game Regional Office. For further information or assistance in solving coyote problems contact the USDA -APHIS -ADC State Office (916-979-267S) or the USDA -APHIS -ADC District Office for your area. TRACKS BIND 02/10/95 ,4TT •' "ire the song of the little wolf is heard throughout CaliFornia lie co'ort, or "little wolf" as k was called by the Indians, is found throughout alt life zones in California from the low deserts and valleys to the crest of the high- est mountains. It has adapted readily to the changes caused by man's occupation of the land and, in recent years, has extended its range into all counties except San Francisco County. At one time biologists listed three subspecies common' to California —the mountain, desert and valley coyotes. But the biologists even questioned the purity of these races and suggested that abnormal mixing of populations has occurred in recent times. The coyote is a member of the dog family. In size and shape the coyote is like a Medium -sited shepherd dog, but its tail is round and bushy and is carried straight out and below the levet of its back. COYOTE WILDLIFE LEAFLET • ate-•' .';1�p. By George Seymour Con,ervetlon education Coniidtent CelifoFnla Departieent of fish end Gome • A Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys are a grayish tawny brown with a black tip on the tail. At high eleva- tions and on the east side of the Sierra, their color is more gray and the underparts are nearly white, with some specimens having a white tip on the tail. Coyotes of the higher elevations average a little larger in site than those in the valley. In winter their coats become long and silky, and trappers then hunt them for their fur. The coyote is one of the few wild animats whose voice is commonly heard. Coyotes howl at night —the sound is both a high quavering cry and a crazy, high-pitched yapping. Sometimes, when it is first heard, the listener may experience a tingling of man's fear of primitive danger, but to the seasoned outdoorsman the howl of the coyote is truly a song of the West. Although the coyote usually digs its own den, some- - times it will enlarge an old badger hole or perhaps fix up a naturat hole in a rocky ledge to suit its own needs. Dcns - arc usually hidden from view, but they are fairly easy to locate because of the trails that lead away from the den. .Mother coy -ore has one litter of three ro nine puppies a year. usually- in April or May. The gestation period is from 63 to 65 days. While the male does little to support the family, he will bring food fairly close, but the mother does not allow him to come all the way to the den. The pups live in the den and play near the entrance until they are about 10 weeks old. Then the mother starts raking them out hunt- ing in a group. The family gradually disbands, and by fall the pups are usually hunting alone. Some studies have indicated that in the valley and low foothills, coy -ores occupy a range of no more than 10 or 12. square miles. In mountainous areas they probably have both a summer and winter range, as heavy snows drive them to lower elevations. The coyote does not hibernate. It travels over its range and hunts both day and night, running swiftly and catch- ing its prey easily. It has a varied diet and seems able to exist on whatever the area offers in the way of food. The coyote ears meat and fish, either fresh or spoiled, and at times it eats fruits and vegetable matter and has even been known to raid melon patches. Although it has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does nor live on domestic animals. Food habit srudies show that its principal diet is made up of deer, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, in- sects, even reptiles. and fruits and berries of wild plants. Coyotes have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to survive both in the wild and occasionally in the suburban areas of some of California's largest cities. They are common in most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature few are seen. Efforts to control or exterminate the coyote by _ predator control agents seem to have produced an animal that is extremely alert and wary and well able to maintain itself. • Coyotes have long been one of the most controversial of all nongame animals. Agricultural interests have urged its control by whatever means necessary so that actual and potential livestock losses may be eliminated. Since 1891, when the first programs aimed at control were begun in California, nearly 500,000 coyotes have been re- ported destroyed at a cost of an estimated $30 million of the taxpayers' money. Environmentalists firmly believe that the coyotes are necessary to preserve the balance of nature. Some sports- men feel the coyote is responsible for the declines in game species. Biologists agree that individual animals preying on livestock and poultry should be destroyed but that the species as a whole is not necessarily harmful, because much of its diet is made up of destructive rodents. Biologists also agree that coyote populations have no lasting effects on other wildlife populations. So the controversy rages on. Coyotes have recently been classified as nongame ani- mals in California and may be taken throughout the year under the authority of a hunting license. Meanwhile, despite the constant hunting and intensive efforts to re- duce the coyote population, on a quiet night the song of the "little wolf" may still be heard in most parts of California.ij Prepared hy icle is ont at a writs printed S the De0 tentCalifornia pid, filth and artment of FGame. ish S Single -Sheet reef/fits ear be oaelned from the department. 1416 Mlnth Street. Savaieente 95814. Bulk tuantities err be purchased frea..Doeuaents Section, P.O. Bee 20191. Sacramento 95820, for the following prices: 100 or Mort S2 pet hundred; I.000 co more, 51.90 . per hundred: 5,000 or more. 91.75 per hundred (California residents kid 5 percent Salts tor). QR4666—S00 a -i3 :0N( Coping With The Urban Coyote The coyote, a native member of the dog family, closely resembles a medium•sized German Shepard dog. However. its distinguishing marks - an elongated snout and bushy. black -tipped tail • set it apart from the family pet. The animal Mark Twain called "the most friendless of God's creatures" is also the most adaptable. The coyote can survive on whatever food is available, from rodents to rubbish. from insects to fruit to carrion. Coyotes.living in urban hillside or popluared rural areas such as Walnut have developed an uncharacteristic boldness due to the food sources available from free -roaming pets. pet food and garbage. Because of the interesting menu available, such as cat and dog food and a variety of edible rubbish, the highly adaptable coyote can flourish in popluared areas. When lured by abundant food sources provided by people, the coyote becomes accustomed to the sight and sound of humans, readily adopting residential properties as his territory. To prevent your home from becoming a food source for hungry wildlife, follow the advice of experts: — Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outside: Store bags of pet food indoors. — Clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protection cover for coyotes. Use rodent traps and rodenticides, if needed. — Use trash barrels equipped with tight clamping devices on the lids. which will prevent Spills should they be tipped over by a large animal. — Don't feed or provide for coyotes or other wildlife. This practice attracts coyotes and rodents, birds, snakes, and other creatures that can provide rnajor portions of the coyote's natural diet. — Don't put trash cans out the night before scheduled pickup, Put them out in the' morning. This will give the coyote less time to scavenge, and he won't have the cover of darkness. - Don't use plastic bags as garbage containers. Coyotes can readily rip them open and scatter the contents. To protect pets. keep small pets (cats, rabbits, small dogs) indoors. Don't allow then to run free Many time. They are easy, favored prey. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark, and never allowed to run loose. Don't leave domestic pet food outside. Wildlife will soon depend upon it. If you have carefully followed these suggestions. but problems with coyotes continue, please contact City Hall at (714) 59S-7543 for further information. WHO IS THE URBAN COYOTE ? 1 William 0. Wirtz, II Department of Biology, Pomona College Claremont, California, 91711 Introduction The coyote, Canis latrans, is the last, common, large predator in North America. Its original ecological role on the western plains was most likely one of a scavenger, feeding on the remains of large animals killed by wolves, and taking small game, insects, and fruit when these kills were not available. During the 16th Century coyotes extended their range into Central America with Spanish livestock, and in the 19th Century they moved into British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska, also with livestock. Coyotes are now present in all 49 continental states,. having expanded their range with the extirpation of the timber wolf, Canis lupus, and the red wolf, Canis rufus. There is good evidence to believe that coyotes interbred with timber wolves in the northeast, and with red wolves in the southeast, as the wolves vanished. In the early 1970's, as urbanization of the Los Angeles basin pushed further into the foothills, and eliminated much of the agricul- tural areas in the basin, public concern was expressed concerning the activities of coyotes in urban areas. Media reports of the loss of small pets, and even attacks on children, became frequent. Concern reached its peak in August 1981 when the death of a 3 year old girl in Glendale was attributed to a coyote. Questions raised concerning the - urban coyote included: 1) what are population densities in urban areas, 2) what sort of movement patterns are exhibited by these animals, 3) what is the diet of urban animals, and how serious a threat are they to pets, 4) what types of individuals are involved in attacks on humans, and 5) are some of these urban animals coyote dog hybrids (coydogs)? While there are hundreds of references on coyotes in the scientific literature (c.f. Bekoff 1974, 1978), most of the ecological work on the species deals with interactions with livestock in the ranching states and provinces of western North America, and virtually no work has been done on coyotes in urban areas. I began Studies in 1974 on predator populations in the San Dimas Experimental Forest, 45 km east of Los Angeles in Angeles National Forest, to determine the species composition and density of predators in chaparral and the nature of their diet. In late 1981 research was begun in the city of Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles, to determine the characteristics of coyote populations in that city, the extent of movements of animals coming into the city, and the nature of their diet. This research was funded by the City of Claremont and the Humane Society of Pomona Valley, Inc. These studies continued through June 1984. 1/ Presented at the Symposium on Urban Ecology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California, on 28 May 1985. Following the death in Glendale, carcasses of some animals killed in control activities were made available to my lab, as were carcasses of animals killed on highways. This paper summarizes some of this research. Methods and Materials Thirty-nine coyote carcasses were made available for autopsy between December 1981 and June 1984, 20 from the Glendale/Pasadena area and 19 from the Claremont area and the western edge of San Bernardino County. Stomach contents of all animals were analyzed, and skulls were cleaned and measured to determine if any were coyote -dog hybrids. Some data were also available for 82 coyotes taken in control activities in the Glendale area between September 1981 and April 1982. The diet of urban coyotes in Claremont was determined by the analysis of 892 scats collected from the 25.5 ha Bernard Field Station of. the Claremont Colleges, an area of relatively undisturbed coastal sage scrub community surrounded by urban development, between September 1981 and June 1984. At least 8 different individuals used the Field Station during this period. Analysis of a sample of 80 scats taken in 1976 from the foothill -urban ecotone of northern Claremont is also reported here. All data are presented as frequency of occurrence. Because a single scat frequently contains more than one item, percent frequency of occurrence for all items adds up to more than 100. The diet of wild coyotes (rural) in the chaparral community of Southern California was determined by the analysis of.1097 scats collected from a.780 ha area of the San Dimas Experimental Forest between October 1974 and December 1979. The collection area was about 24 km northwest of Claremont. All data are presented as frequency of occurrence. . Four adult coyotes, three males and a female, were trapped on the Bernard Field Station and fitted with radio -transmitters. Their move- ments were followed until December 1984, when only one animal remained in the area. The female produced litters of two each in 1982 and 1983; the young were ear -tagged but not radio -collared. Results Address records for 45 of the 82 coyotes taken in control activities in the Glendale area show all were taken in urban areas surrounded by chaparral -covered hills. Hollywell Place, where the child was killed, and where 14 coyotes were taken, is 0.9 km from a leaking water storage tank, which is presumed to provide water for wildlife, and 1.02 km from a sanitary land fill, which, although covered each day, may be providing food for coyotes. Three other streets are within 0:5 km of the water tank, and lesser numbers of coyotes were taken there. The sex ratio of 70 animals killed was exactly equal. Mean weight of males was 12.67 kg (27.94 lb). Mean weight of females was 9.02 kg - 3 - (19.88 lb). Mean weight for all urban coyotes was 10.79 kg (23.8 lb). For comparison, the mean weight of 446 males from New Mexico was 11.07 kg (24.4 lb), and the mean weight of 383 females from New Mexico was 10.07 kg (22.2 lb) (Van Wormer 1964). None of the animals autopsied by my lab was a coyote -dog hybrid. Food habits data for wild coyotes in the chaparral community of the San Dimas Experimental Forest (SDEF) and urban coyotes in Claremont and the Glendale/Pasadena area are summarized in Table 1. All data are pre- sented as percent frequency of occurrence. Wild coyotes fed primarily on meadow vole, Microtus californicus, wood rat, Neotoma fuscipes and Neotoma lepida, fruit of native plants such as manzanita and toyon, mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, insects, reptiles - including both lizards and snakes, and rabbits, Sylvilagus auduboni, in order of decreasing abundance. Coyotes in Claremont (1981-83), based on scat analysis, fed on rabbit, domestic fruit, wild fruit, insects, wild birds, Jerusalem cricket, Stenopelmatus, and meadow vole, in order of decreasing'abundance. The scats collected in Claremont in 1976 contained, in order of decreasing abundance, wild and domestic fruit, wood rat, insects, rabbit, Botta pocket gopher, Thomomys bottae, Beechey ground. squirrel, Spermophilua beecheyi, and meadow vole. Nearly 79 percent of the diet of coyotes in the Glendale/Pasadena area was garbage, based on stomach analysis. Other common items were rabbit, wild birds, house cat, and meadow vole. Seasonal frequency of food items is similar for coyotes in the chaparral and in Claremont (1981-83), especially for fruit (Fig. 1), insects (Fig. 2), and reptiles (Fig. 3). These similarities probably reflect availability. Seasonal frequency is also similar for wood rat (Fig. 4) and meadow vole (Fig. 5), but both of these rodents are much more important in the diet of wild coyotes. Utilization of rabbits is much heavier in Claremont than in chaparral (Fig. 6), and wild birds are also taken more frequently by coyotes in Claremont than in the chaparral (Fig. 7). Pocket gophers and Beechey ground squirrels are not commonly taken by coyotes in this area. The summer peak of utilization of ground squirrels in Claremont reflects their abundance on vacant lots at this time (Fig. 8). Pets and garbage were rarely taken by the wild population studied. Their utilization by Claremont coyotes was low and irregular, with more pets being taken in January and summer, and more garbage in fall and winter (Fig. 9). An adult male coyote was captured in the foothill -urban ecotone of northern Claremont on 4 December 1981. It stayed near the capture site for two weeks, then moved 15 km northwest into Angeles National Forest. It remained in the National Forest for nearly a year, but was retrapped on the Bernard Field Station .on 18 December 1982. When released it returned north into the National Forest, and was never again recorded in Claremont. A parous female was captured on the Bernard Field Station on 14 February 1982. She stayed within a 3.13 square km area for the next 22 months, raised litters of two pups each in 1982 and 1983, and was found dead of unknown causes on this home range in December 198.3. Adult males, weighing 8.3 and 10.88 kg, respectively, were trapped on the - 4 7. Bernard Field:Station on 20 and 2]. November 1983. ,Both animals shifted their range S1km northeast;of,,the,FieldStationbyFebruary,1984, and remained there -thtoughout the:sUrpmer y December 1984 'the larger animal was still 'in this:`area, : but ;the :smaller 'one :could not be located. The smaller animal 'was killed by a --professional trapper 16 km east of Clare- mont in January 1985.. ) Discussion =Information is still lacking concerning the density of coyotes in urban areas of Southern California. Only long-term mark and release studies, or extensive use of scent or tracking stations will provide this information. Limited radio -telemetry data from Claremont suggest that two types of individuals may be found in cities. One type, exemplified by the female in Claremont, may live its entire life, and breed success- fully, within city limits. The second type, exemplified by the three males in Claremont, may wander widely between chaparral -covered hills and urban areas, and could, conceivably, also wander between cities. Whether the two types represent sexual differences cannot be ascertained. from the small Claremont study. Coyotes in the Glendale/Pasadena area seem to rely heavily on garbage, while those in Claremont take chiefly natural foods from vacant lots, with the exception of domestic fruit. The difference may be due ' to different city sanitation policies. Claremont has always had back yard trash pickup and encouraged citizens to keep cans in garages except on pickup days. More recently; Claremont has converted largely to 55 gallon containers on wheels, with permanently attached hinged lids, which I believe are much more difficult for dogs or coyotes to dump than conventional trash cans. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the.prob•- lems attributed to urban coyotes in some cities. Coyotes will certainly take small pets if available. They do not appear to seek them out over natural foods in Claremont. Confining pets, especially in areas of high' coyote concentration, may alleviate this problem, though control may be necessary in some areas. There is, -at present, no evidence that coyote -dog hybrids make up part of the urban coyote population in Southern California. The matter of attacks on humans is much more difficult to assess, and 1 do not know of any effort to carefully evaluate the circumstances of each attack that is documented. There is considerable anecdotal information concerning the intentional feeding of coyotes (c.f. Los Angeles Times, 19 August 1980). Ocie "tame" coyote received by me for research usetwas deemed far too dangerous to be released. This anioal would clearly have attacked humans if released. We do not know if other animals of.such disposition have been released. The attack on a girl in La Verne on 22 August 1979 was by a crippled male that was fed daily by residents in the area. - 5 - The great. diversity of coyote diets in North America is well-docu mented (c.f. Bekoff 1974, Ferrel et al. 1953, Hawthorne 2972, Sperry • 1941). Coyotes in some urban areas of Southern California seem to rely heavily on garbage, but exist largely on natural foods in others. Coyotes .will continue to use urban areas if food resources are available. The incidence of intentional feeding in urban areas is not known, though most foothill communities now have ordinances prohibiting this. At least some attacks on humans have been by animals acclimated to humans through intentional feeding or.other association. There is no information on the release of partially tame animals in Southern California. Coyotes may move regularly between foothills and urban areas. No information is yeft available concerning the population dynamics of urban coyotes. There is much yet to be learned about this exceptional native predator. Acknowledgements Research in the San Dimas Experimental Forest was supported by a grant from the U. S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and,ktaage Experiment Station. Urban studies in Claremont were supported by grants from the City of Claremont and the Humane Society of Pomona Valley, Inc. Faculty Research Grants from Pomona:College helped support both studies. Many students have assisted with these studies, including Roland L. Redmond, Sharon L. Booth, Margaret A. Keller, William G. Meikle, and. Sherrie L. Souza. Art work is by Helen Wirtz.' Literature Cited Bekoff, M. 1974. A general bibliography on the coyote, Canis Iatrans: ' The Coymar Press,. Boulder, CO, 26 pp. Bekoff, M. (ed.) 1978. Coyotes Biology, Behavior, and Management. Academic Press, New York, NY; 384• pp. Ferrel, C.M., H.R. Leach, and D.F. Tillotson. 1953. Food habits of the 'coyote in California. Calif. Fish and Game, 39:3.01-341. Hawthorne, V.M. 1972. Coyote food habits in Sagehen Creek Basin, northeastern California. Calif. Fish and Game, 58:4-12. Sperry, C.C. 1941. Food habits of the coyote. U.S. Fish and Wild/. Ser., Res. Bull. 4:1-70. Van Wormer, J. 1964. The world of the coyote. New York, NY, 150 pp. • . Lippincott C - 6 - Table 1: Food habits of rural (SDEF) and urban coyotes in Southern California, percent frequency of occurrence. PERCENT FREQUENCY SDEF 74-79 Rabbit 10.40 Beechey Ground Squirrel 2.10 Botta Pocket Gopher .64 Wood Rat 32.36 California Vole House Cat Mule Deer Unident. Small Bird Reptile Insect Jerusalem Fruit, Wild Domestic Garbage Figure I: FREOUENCY OF FRUIT IN SCATS 40.75 .27 17.50 Mamm. 14.90 8.39 10.94 14.01 Cricket 6.11 28.90 1.28 urban coyote (wild fruit) • urban Coyote (dome,tic fruit) rural Coyote (wild fruit) J F M A M J J A S O N D MONTHS r z W a W CC u_ z .a W U Q W a .2 Claremont Glendale 76 - 81-83 81-83 14.0 1 1.0 12.5 32.5 10.0 19.0 42.5 51.7 3.7 2.5 5.3 13.3 7.1 5.9 18.1 3.4 21.3 13.7 23.1 24.5 5.5 5.26 5.26 10.52 21.05 15.79' 21.05 5.26 5.26 5.26 5.26 5.26 78.95 i Figure 2: FREOUENCY OF INSECTS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote 26.32 i Ste riCpel Fri atus All Insects J F M A M J J MONTHS A S O N C 7 PERCENT FREQUENCY > .6 0 z w O .4 u, o: U. ~ • .2 cc w U W a Figure 3: FREQUENCY OF REPTILES IN SCATS, J F M A IA J J A S MONTHS urban coyote • )- rural coyote 6 z 0 cc .4 u. I— uusi .2 CC us 0 N Figure 4: FREQUENCY OF NEOTOMA IN SCATS — urban coyote rural coyote J F MAMJ J A S ON O MONTHS 6 Figure 5: FREQUENCY OF MICROTUS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote J F MA M J J A 0 N O• MONTHS Figure 6: FREQUENCY OF SYLVILAGUS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote J. F M A M J J A S O N O MONTHS - 8 - U >- .6. Z w 0 w 2 .4 u. F w .2 U . Q w a r U z w 0 w o u. z w . U rr w a. Figure 7: FREQUENCY OF BIROS IN SCATS urban coyote •••» rural coyote J F MAM J A S O V ••• J MONTHS ♦•••• N O Figure 8: FREQUENCY OF POCKET GOPHERS AND GROUND SQUIRRELS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote Thomomys J 'F M A M J J A S O N D MONTHS Spe►moohilus y U Z W a 0 w o: u. • - z w U Q w a Figure 9: FREQUENCY IN URBAN COYOTE SCATS Garbage Pets J F M A M J J A .S O N D MONTHS URBAN COYOTES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: A PROGRESS REPORT William O. Wirtz, II, Margaret A. Keller, William G. Meikle Department of Biology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711' Presented at 62nd Annual Meeting, American Society of Mammalogists, Snowbird, Utah, 20-24 June 1982. Abstract: Coyote populations are currently being studied in two urban areas of southern California: Glendale, 24 km northeast of Los Angeles, where the death of a 3 year old child in August 1981 was attributed to coyote attack, and Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles. Male coyotes killed in control activities in Glendale average 12.7 kg, females average 9 kg. Stomachs of Glendale animals contain chiefly garbage, with lesser amounts of rabbit, birds, and meadow vole. The diet of Claremont animals, based on scat analysis, consists largely of native and cultivated fruits, rabbit, Jerusalem cricket, cat, birds, wood rat, meadow vole, garbage, other small mammals, and other insects. An earlier (1976) Claremont survey revealed fruit, wood rat, insects, other rodents, rabbit, and birds to be major food items. A male radio -tagged in the foothill -urban ecotone in Claremont remained in the area for two weeks, then moved 15 km north into the National Forest, where it has remained for five months. A female radio -tagged in town has remained•within two square km for four months. Coyotes in Glendale rely heavily on garbage, which may be supporting this urban population. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the problem in that city. Coyotes in Claremont appear to move back and forth between urban and National Forest lands. They appear to be less dependent on a garbage diet. FOOD HABITS OF URBAN COYOTES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA William O. Wirtz, II, Department of Biology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711 To be presented at 63rd Annual Meeting, American Society of Mammalogists Gainesville, Fla., 20-24 June 1983. Abstract: Food habits of urban coyotes have been studied in southern California for 20 months. In Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles, a sample of 472 scats collected chiefly from 3 individuals indicates a diet of rabbit (21Z of all foods taken), domestic fruit (14Z), wild fruit (12Z), insects (112), and wild birds (10X). Only 2.52 of the diet is garbage, and 3.8Z is composed of cats. A sample of stomachs from animals killed in control activities centered on Glendale and Pasadena, about 24 km northeast of Los Angeles, indicates a diet composed principally of garbage (37.5Z), with lesser amounts of rabbit (12.5Z), wild birds (10X), cats (10%) and meadow vole (5X). In Claremont, rabbits are a major component of the diet from December through July, and birds are most important from May through October. Insect consumption peaks in July and also in October and November, the latter peak being primarily due to consumption of Jerusalem crickets. Wild fruit is most important in June, August, and December; domestic fruit in September, October and December. Coyotes in the Glendale/ Pasadena area seem to rely heavily on garbage, while those in Claremont take chiefly natural foods from vacant lots, with the exception of domestic fruit. The difference may be due to different city sanitation policies. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the problems attributed to urban coyotes in some cities. • the song or the little wolf is heard tkroughout CaI rom is 1.11c cororr., or "little wolf" as it was called by the Indians, is found throughout all life zones in California from the_1ow deserts and valleys to the crest of the high- est mountains. It has adapted readily to the changes caused by man's occupation of the land and, in recent years, has extended its range into all counties except San Francisco County. At one time biologists listed three subspecies common to California —the mountain, desert and valley coyotes. But the biologists even questioned the purify of these races and suggested that abnormal mixing of populations has occurred in recent times. The coyote is a member of the dog family. In size and shape the coyote is like a Medium-sized shepherd dog, but ire tail is round and bushy and is carried ';traiglit out and below the level of its back. OYOTE By George Seymour Outdoor California Writer WILDLIFE LEAFLET • Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys are a grayish tawny brown with a black tip on the tail. At high eleva- ndns and on the east side of the Sierra, their color is More gray and the underparts are nearly white, with some specimens having a white tip on the tail. Coyotes of the higher elevations average a little larger in size than those in the valley. In winter their coats become long and silky, and trappers then hunt them for their fur. The coyote is one of the few wild animals whose voice is commonly heard. Coyotes howl at night —the sound is both a high quavering cry and a crazy, high-pitched yapping. Sometimes, when it is first heard, the listener may experience a tingling of mart's fear of primitive danger, but to the seasoned outdoorsrnan• the howl of the roynrc is truly a song of the Vriese. Although the coyote usually, digs its own den, some- most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature few arc seen.AEfforts to control or exterminate the coyote by predator: control agents seem to have produced an animal that is.extreme]; alert and wary- and well able to maintain itself. Coyotes have long been one of the most controversial of all ,,ongarne anirrmalc _Agricultural interests have urged its control by whatever means necessary so that actual and potential livestock losses may be eliminated. Since. 1891, when the first programs aimed at control were begun in California, nearly 500.000 coyotes have been re- ported destroyed at a cost of an estimated $30 million of the taxpayers' money. Environmentalists firmly believe that the coyotes are necessary to preserve the balance of nature. Some sports- men feel the coyote is responsible for the declines in game species. Biologists agree that individual animals preying on livestock and poultry should be destroyed but that the species as a whole isnot necessarily .harmful, because much of its diet is made up of destructive rodents. Biologists also agree that coyote populations have. no lasting effect • on other wildlife populations. So the controversy rages"on. Coyotes .have recently been classified as nongame ani- mals in California.. and may be taken throughout the year under the authority of a hunting license. Meanwhile, despite the constant hunting and intensive efforts to re- duce the coyote population, on a quiet night the song of the "little wolf" may still be heard in most parts of California.# Prepared by George Seymcur, California Department of Fish and Game This article • is one of a series piinted by the Cepartment pt Fish and Game. Single sheet reprints may be ottained tram the department, 1416 Ifintb Street, Sacramento 95814. BJIk quantities may be purchased (-em Documents Section. P.D. Box 20191, Sacramento ?5820, far.lfa following prices: 100 or mote, 52 per hundred; 1,000 or more, 81.90 per hundred; 5.000 or more, $L75 Per hundred (California residents add 5 percent sales tax). times it will enlarge an old 'badger hole or perhaps fix up a natural.hole in a rocky ledge to suit its own needs. Dens are usually hidden from' view, but they arc fairly easy to locate because of the trails that lead away from the den. Mother coyote has one litter of three to nine puppies a year; usually. in April .or May. The gestation period is from 63 to 65 days. While the male does little to support thc family, he will bring food fairly close, but the mother does not allow him to come all the way to the den. The pups live in the den and play near the entrance until they are about I0 weeks old. Then the mother starts taking them out hunt- ' ing in a group. The family gradually disbands, and by fall the pups are usually hunting alone. Some studies have. indicated that in thc valley and low foothills, coyotes occupy a range of no more than 10 or '12'square miles. In mountainous areas they probably have both a summer and winter range, as heavy snows drive them to lower elevations. The coyote does not hibernate. It travels over its range and hunts both day and night, running swiftly and catch- ing its prey easily. It has a'varied:.diet: and seems able to exist on Avharerer the area offers,.'jri .the way. of food. The coyote eats meat and fish, either €rusli or spoiled; and at times it eats fruits and vegetable' matter and has even been known to raid melon patches.,. • • Although it has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not live on domestic animals. Food habit studies show that its principal diet is made up of deer, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, in- sects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants. Coyotes have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to survive both in the wild and occasionally in the suburban areas . of some of California's largest cities. They are common in • • /• i • Reprinted From: tat roc7f- Ittgiktzs ORDINANCE NO. 0I.002lU An ordinance amending the Les Angeles -County Code relating to Title 10 —ANIMALS. declaring the urgency thereof and that this Ordinance shall lake immediate effect '• The Board of S. perv.sor s of the County e:• Los Angeles do ordain as follows. Seclion1. Chaplet. :, 0.4 is added 1a the Los r :gele•.'ounty Code to read as follows • SECTION 1004.010 Except as.o!^erwise pr".ir4ed for herein. r.0 person shale feed er in an, manner provide :toed fa a non u:mes'icated rodent or anon domesl,caled mammalian predalc•r. For purpc"F' of ibis Ordinance rodent in. eludes ground squirrels For purposes of IhiS of .:.,;,u.cr mammalian ;•redalorS includes .oyote. rat coon. fox, and opossuyt SECTION l0.0 070. A person may teed o proside !pod to a non- aornest,caled rodent or a non (tomes:wraled mammalian preoai0F ....der f•.` tollowing instances' le) When the person .s the owner of such a rodent o. mammalian predator. and Such 'Orient or pred..'or is wept under a valid ce(lificate nr pc: mil issued by the Slate of California Department of Fish and G:. re (bl When the person needs or prnv'des mod to , trapped injured si ur.• weaned. re n-dor.est icafed rodent or predator betwevs. the . me the agency to .,hnree of animal con!,ol or Al M•i.jn,;lc4 ate •,! is . o1Y.: • :..nd picked up by said agency SECTION 10.8.3 030 A vioei.in.. o: tai. Crd.:...:.ce shat' he an inhaction punishable by gal A fine not exceeding ISO 60 for a first violation; . lb) A line not e.cri.ifing 0 O0 00 for a second violation within one year: (c) A line not exce..ding i250 00 for each additional violation within one year. SECTION 7. Non-dofesficated predators have infiltrated inhabited areas in growing numbers threatening file ..nd property. 11 is Iheretore urgently re- quired !or the iii,mediate preserval.on of Me public peace. health. and safety that !his Ordinance lake Ifined,ate effect. and the same shell take elect tin• medlately upon the passage hereof Section 7. This ordinance shag be published in METROPOLITAN NEWS. a newspaper printed and published in the Co:mly of Los Angeles. SEAL EDMUND D EDELMAN. Chairman. Low d 01 Supervisars. ATTEST: • JAMES S. MIZE.' Executive Office. Cie -k of 'he Board of Supervisors o1 the County of Los Angeles 1 hereby certify Thal at its feeling of Novnrnber 10. 1741. the foregoing 00 dinance was adopned by the Board of Supervisors of Said Counly of Los Angeles by the fellowiig vote. to wit: Ayes: 560er:risers Peter F ;ceabarnm. Kenneth Hahn. Edrnund D. Edelman. Deane bona. Michaej D. dntonovi. h. SEANoeL s: • None. JAMES S.-MIZE, Executive Othrer Clerk :,I the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles. Elleclive hale Novernee.: 10 :991 GS IJS1 75 Nov j0 �i ;1 f .111 ,`"i,..« 11 't t G r2) 1 v, a Vii) C AN LOS ANGELES CC ACKNOWLEDGMENT Much of the material contained in this publication is based on information and recommendations by Lila Brooks, Director, California Wildlife Defenders , as a public service. .LOS ANGELES COUNTY.. -- - -- BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Peter F. Schabarum, 1st District hcnr•eth Hahn, 2nd District Edmund D. Edelman, 3rd District De.; ne Dana, 4th District 'Michael D. Antonovich, 5th District DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL.CONTROL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER rOR RESID'NTS UVIVG tiW..TH N'ME rOo DO'S AND DON'TS DO feed tiets indoors:or promptly remove dishes where pets. complete their meals outside. Store bags of pet. food Indoors. DO. clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protective cover for coyotes. Use traps and root nticldes, if needed, DO use trash barreisequipped'with tight clamp- ing devices on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be tipped over by large animals. DON'T feed or provide water for coyotes or other wild life. This practice abnormally attracts coyotes and promotes increased numbers of rodents, birds, snakes, 'and other creatures that can provide major portions of the: coyote's natural diet. • It is against the law for residents of Los Angeles County to feed coyotes.. (County Code: Section TO,i;4,0't 0) DON'T pet trash cans out the night before scheduled pick-up, Put them out in t;,,., morrlinl;, This will give the ceyo:.e less time to scavenge., and he won't have the cover of darkness, • arrc D��•;-r`;Tu,l''i)111di!(: bogs i�). !, Ltt ri.�,1 ..� . .• .. ;,., V i..1 c:Or;,ii.ners, C"votes can readdyrip 'them t,,r=��� open and sc, .ic t `e C.Oi1t n S, • TO PROTECT PETS Construct six-foot fences with extenders facing outward at the top of each post, (fixtendcrs can be purchased from local fence dealers.) install two or three strands of wire, extending out at an angle for about 14 Inches, completely around fence. This will prevent easy scaling by coyotes. Keep small pets- cats, rabbits, , small dogs.- Indoors. Don't allow them to iun free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. • Large dogs.should be brought inside after dark, and never allowed to run loose, Don't leave domestic pet food outside. Wildlife will soon depend upon it, • f3Q\ ALL P-ROTECT C'-i!LrDRrNi. Never leave small children unattended in arrias known to be ;rec;uc.ntccl by coyotes, if you haler care`;;!! - foriem,d to this b Ochurv, hu: problem c0yolc' contiluo, Pieasc' ceni t tart I r'•'� !r1 .•tii /�^.�(ll tt! `:i the l e ::!tt > ,�,1,,. • • •. aY 8/SI 21 5/78 Pasadena Table 1. Reported coyote attacks on humans - urban Los Angeles County. 1/ 2/6/75 Glendale Lost two-year old boy found surrounded by pack of coyotes - rescued by Glendale Police. Karina Grotz, age 5, female. Bitten on left leg by coyote while in driveway of home. Pasadena Kory Willis, age 2, female. Attacked by coyote while eating cookies on front porch - grabbed by throat and , cheek. 2/ 6/79 Pasadena Floyd Mattix,• age 67, male. Coyote bit heel while picking up newspaper from front yard. 2/ 7/79 Pasadena Laura Reinsch, age 17, female. Leg tore by coyotes while attempting to save dog that was being attacked. 3� .7/79 Pasadena Bob Dietrich, male. Jogger - coyote hit legs - Dietrich climbed tree to escape. 3/ 8/79 LaVerne Montsho Downing, age 5, female. Coyote grabbed and attempted to drag her into bushes. Deep bites on neck, head, and legs - saved by'father. 3y 7/80 Agoura Lindsey Raser, age 13 months, female. Grabbed and dragged off by coyote - puncture wounds to mid -section - saved by mother. Glendale Kelly Keen,_age 3, female. Killed by coyote in front yard - neck broken - massive bleeding. If Glendale Police Dept. / Pasadena. Department of F -avian Services Animal Bite Reports. 3/ News Media 4/ Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner - Coroner: FISH AND GAME CODE 97 4011_ Fur -bearing mammals and game mammals when in- -volved in dangerous disease outbreaks, may be taken by duly constituted federal officers of the United States Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Public Health and state officers of the California Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, and Fish and Game. (Added by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) CHAPTER 3. NON -PROTECTED MAMMALS AND DEPREDATORS (The heading of Chapter 2 amended and renumbered by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972) Article 1. Nonprotected Mammals • ;(The heading or Article 1 amended by Stats.'1957, Ch. 1972) -4150. Nonprotected mammals are: (a) Moles of the order Insectivore. • (b) The order Marstipialia (opossums). _ (c) The order Rodentia (rats, mice and gophers, porcu- pines, etc.), excluding the species of the genus Scitirus and the genus Tantiasciurus (tree squirrels), the genus Glauconzys ,(flying squirrels), the genus Onidatra (muskrats), and the genus Castor (beavers). O (d) Coyotes of the family .Cauidae. (e) Weasels and skunks of the family Mustelidae. (f) Cougars and bobcats of the faiilily Felidae. Nonprotected maminals may be taken at any time. (A.mended by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) 4151. Any cat found within the limits of any fish and game :refuge is a nonprotected mammal;•unless it is in the residence 'of its owner or upon the grounds of the owner adjacent to such .residence. (Amended by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) �\ 4152. Nonprotected mammals and black -tailed jack rabbits, 7 musk -rats, and red fox squirrels which are found to be injuring i growing crops or other property may be taken at any time or - in any manner by the owner or tenant of the premises. They may also be taken by officers or employees of the California. Department of Agriculture or by federal, or county officers or employees when acting in their official capacities pnrsuant to the provisions of the Agricultural Code pertaining to pests, or pursuant to the provisions of Section 139.5 of that code. (A mended by Slats. 1957, Ch. 1972.) . 4153. The department shall control and eradicate harmful nonprotected mammals, and for that purpose may enter into cooperative agreements with any agency of the State or the United States. The department way take any mammal which, in its opinion, is nnduly preying upon any bird, mainnial, or fish. • (Amended by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) 4--76012 1041 TITLE 14 CALIFORNIA ADM LNISTRATIVE CODE EXTRACTS BIRD CONTROL 503. CROP DAMAGE In accordance with the provisions of Section 39 of the Fish and Game Code and pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Fish and Garce Commission does hereby approve all orders promulgated by the Federal Government authorizing the taking of rnigatory game birds to alleviate crop depredations, and further approves the issuance of any crop depredation permits issued by Lhe - Federal Government to kill or herd migrztorry game birds. FISEi AND GAME CODE EXTRACTS' .. . MANDIAL CONTROL' • 325. SPECIAL SEASONS - GAME MAMMALS Whenever after due investigation the commission finds that game mammals, other than aetler1ess deer, and fur -bearing mammals and resident game birds have increased in numbers in any areas, districts, or portions thereof other than a refuge or preserve established by statute, to such an extent that a surplus exists, or to such an extent that the rsz_ra...as or birds are damaging public or private property, or are overgrazing their range, the commission may provide by regulation, for a special hun rig season for the rnarnrnals and birds, additional to, or concurrent with any other open se2son specified by taw; or provide for increased bag Limits; or rerove sex restrictions specified by law. The taking of antlerte_s deer under this sectioo may only be authorized if the commission determines such marnmals are damaging • public or private property. 2014. EXEMPTION FROM RECOVERY OF DAMAGES BY STATE It is the policy of this State to conserve its natural resources and to prevent the willful or negligent destruction of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or arnphibia. The State may recover darnades in a civil action against any person who unlawfully or negligently takes or destroys any bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian protected by the laws of this State. The measure of damages is the amount:which will compensate for all the detri.:nerit proximately caused by the. destruction of such birds, namrrals, fish, reptiles, or aril phi b ia- An action to recover damages under this section shall be brought in the name of the people of the State, in a court of co -patent jurisdiction in the county in which the cause of action aroma. This section does not apply to persons engaged in ag culture] pest control, to the destruction of Esh in irrigation canals or v;orks or irrigation drainages, or to the destruction of birds or mammals killed while dcrnaging crops as provided by law_ \ 2019. BOUNTIES It is unlawful for any person, including state, federal, county, and city officials or their agents, to authorize, offer or pay a bounty for any bird or cnzrnnna!s This section does not apply to any person v 1th respect to the taking of any bird or mammal on the private property of such person. 2052. RARE OR ENDANGERED ANIMALS No person shall import into this State, or take, possess, or sell within this State, any bird, mammal, fish, amphibia or reptile, or any part or product thereof, that the commission determines to be an endangered animal or rare animal, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. 2117. DEFINES ENFORCING OFFICER 1N REGARD TO IMPORTATION OF RESTRICTED ANIMALS As used in this chapter, "enforcing officers" -..ears the enforcement personnel of the department, the State pant quarantine • offices, and the county ag-riculturnl commissioners. 2118. LIST OF RESTRICTED SPECIES It is unlawful to import, tarspott, or release rive into this State except under permit es provided in this chapter and the regula ons pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species: Class Ayes (birds): - Family Cuculidae (cuckoos) Alt species Family Alaudidae (larks) Skylark, A lea crventis Family Coreidae (crows, jays, magpies) All species Family Turdidae (thrushes) European blackbi.--d, Turdus r.+erula Miss el (or rristte), thrush, Turdur visri rbrus Family St-.irnidae (sterli_igs and rn rtas or mynahs) Ail species of the family, except hill myna (or hill mynah), Crsculs rctig ova (sometimes re'erred to as Eulcbes refigiosa) (a) NONGAME MAMMA LS - DEFINE • narrra_is-occu__r ing naturally in Cali C. ___ a svhich are of game mammas, fully protected mamma's, or or -bearing mammas, are nornvame mammals. Nongame rune oral; may not be taken or possessed except as provided in this cede or in.eccordaace with -regulations adopted by the corn niesion. 4152- TAKING NONGAME MAMMALS, JACKRABBITS, MUSKRATS, AND RED FOX SQUIRRELS Non .me mammals and black-tz1ed jackrabbits; muskrats, and red fox squids which. are found to be injuring growing crops.er other property may be taken at any tine or in any maruser by the owner or tenant of the premises or employees thereof, except that if leg -hold steel -jawed traps are used to take such mammals, the b-aps and the use thereof shall be in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 4004. They may also be taken. by offcecs or employees of the California Department of Food and Agriculture or by federal, or county officers or employees when acting in their official 'capacities oursuat to the provisions of the Food and Agricuitural Code pertaining to pests, or pursuant to the pro'.isions of Article 6 (commencing with -Section 6021) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Food and Agrici:ltural Code. Persons taking mammals in accordance with this section are exempt from the requirements of Section 30G7. (Exempt from requiring a bunting license or permit.) 4180. FUR -BEARING MAMMALS- DEPREDATIONS Fur -bearing marl nls which are injuring property xay be taken at any time and is any manner, except that if leg -;old steel -jawed traps ere used to take such mammals, the taps and the use thereof shall be in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (z) and (b) cf Section 4004_ 4181. GRAY SQUIRREL, BEAVER, ELK, BEAR, , V ILD BOAR - DEPREDATION PERMITS Any owner cr tenant of land or property that is being damaged or destroyed or is it danger of being damaged or destroyed by elk, bear, beaver, vs -9d boar, or gray squirrels, nay apply to the depart -ilea for a permit to kill such mammals. The department, upon satisfactory evidence of such damage or destnrctiop, actual or irnraediately threatened, shall issue a revocable permit for the taking and disposition of such mammals under regulations promulgated by the commission_ Mammals so taken shall not be acid, nor shipped from the premises on which they ate taken, except under instructions from the depattalent_ No iron or -steel -jawed or any type of Metal -jawed trap shall 5e used to take any bear pursuant to this section_ No poison of any type. rnay be used to take any gray squirrel pursuant to this section. The dep=rtraent shall designate the type of trap to be used to insure the most humane method is used to trap g ry squirrels. The department may require trapped squirrels to be released in parks or other none-agrcultur-J areas. ft shall be unlawful for any person to - viiolate the terms of any permit issued under the provisions of thi s section. 4181.5. DEER - DEPREDATION PERMITS Any ow.-.er or tentsnt of rend or property that is being damaged or destroyed by deer may apply to the department for a per:riit to trill such deer. (The remainder or this sc-ction describes the author y to issue tlee permit a -.d the res:-ictiorvs on taking depredating peer-} 4182. BEAVER CO?•IT' -AREA - When it is demonstrated t.. _..e cornmiesinn that beavers are damaging or destroying, or threateni:;g to damage or destroy agricultural !ands, c_ os, levees, El- other irrigation structures, the commission si iI establish a beaver control area and permit the taking of beaver therein for the immediate correction of the damage or destn:ction under regulations which will. allow the marketing of pelts until such time as the daanage or des_trrction or threatened damage or destruction is abated. 4183. BEARS - TAKING BY OWNER OF LIVESTOCK Nothing in this code prohibits an owner of livestock from protecting such livestock from depredations of bears, nor prohibis federal, state, or county trappers from killing or trapping bears when such bears are killing or molesting livestock, but no iron or steel -jawed or any type of metal -jawed trap shall be used to take any such bear, and no person, including employees- of the state, federal or county government shall take bear with iron or steel -jawed or any type of metal -jawed tips_ 4186. COTTONTAIL RABBITS - TAKING WHEN CAUSING DAMAGE Nothing in this code prohibits the owner or tenant of land, or any person authorized is writing by such owner or tenant, from taking cottontail or brush rabbits during any time of the year when damage to crops or forage is being experienced on such lend.. Any person other than the owner or tenant of such land shall have in possession. when transporting rabbits from such property written a'ithority from the owner or tenant of land where -such rabbits were taken. Rabbits taken under the provision of this code may not be so1cL 4188: DEER DEPREDATION HUNT When a landowner or tenant applies for a permit under Section.41S1.3, the commission, in lieu of such a permit, may, with the consent of or upon the request of the landowner or tenant, under appropriate regulations, issue permits to persons holding valid hunting licenses to take deer in sufficient nu.nbers. o stop the dais —tape or threatened damage. (The remainder of this section describes the method of establishing such a special bunt) 4700. FULLY PROTECTED MAMMALS- DEFINED Fully protected mammals et pats thereof May not be taken or possessed at any tune and to provision of this code or any other law shall be construed to authorize the issuance of permits or licenses to take any fully protected mammal and no such permits or licenses heretofore isued shall have any force or effect for any such puree; except that the commission May authorize the collecting of such species for necessary scientific research. Legally imported fully protected mammals or parts thereof Inay' be possessed undera permit issued by the department The following are fully protected marumals: (a) Morro Bay kangaroo rat, Dipodontys heerrcnni irorroertsis (b) Bighorn sheep, Orris cure derrsis '(c) Northern elephant seal, 4lirorrngr angustirerrrris (d) Guadalupe fur seal, Arcrocephcfus ru:t-rse' fi (e) Ring-tailed cat, B_ss_r=scirr zatu:rs (f) Pacific right whale, E-bc!ienn sieboldi (g) Salt, -marsh harvest mouse, Pcithrocontor-r}-r rciirentrs (h) Southern sea otter, Er•Fi'dru lu,ris n.ereis • (i) i'/oIveri,t,_ ,:,1c unseal e -e7. } TITLE 14 FLiii AND CA..:E CoM'uSsf ')N (nepiltar Tr, No. 2.3—S-14-77) 52.34.1 4G3. Methods fur Taking Fur,carer. Fur`-i._ariing marrnn its may be taken only with a firearm, bow. and arro..ve. poison under proper permit from the Department of Fish and Game, or with the use of d o,s, or traps except that Gaps may not be used in the area described iri Section 474(a) of these regulations. (Prohibition on the use o` poison or saw-toothed.or spiked -jawed traps: In accordance with S€ctiun 4003 of the Fish and Game Code, it is unlawful to use poison to take furbearers without a permit from the department; Section 4004 prohibits use of saw-toothed or spikt Jawed traps to take furbearers.) History.- I. Amendment filed 5-29.69; designated effective 7-1-69 (Register 69, No. 2: ). • For prior history, see Register 67, No. 24. ' 2 Amendment filed 6-5-72; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 72, No. 24). • • 465.1. Use of Dogs in Taking Forbearers_ Forbearing mammals may not be taken with the aid of dogs between February 1 and April • 30 in the followingarea: Beginning at Pine Flat Reservoir and the Sierra National Forest boundary north bong forest boun' ary to Maxon Road; northwesterly along Maxon Iload to Burroughs \railey Road; northerly along Burroughs Valley Road to the intersection with Tolihousa•Road; northerly along Tollhouse Road to the intersection with Highway 16.3; northeasterly along Highway 163 to its intersection with the Dinkey Creek Road at Shaver Lake; easterly along. the Dinkey Creek Road to the intersection withMcKirlley Grove Road; easterlyy along tl:eMcKin- ley Grove Road to the east end of Wishon Dar..; * nrtherly along the east side of Wishon Reservoir to Woodchuck Creek; easterly along Wood- chuck Creek to the John Muir Wilderness Area boundary; southerly along the Wilderness Area boundary to the Kings Canyon National Park boundary at the Obelisk; southeasterly aloha the National Park bound-. ary to the Middle Fork of the Kings River; westerly along the. Middle Fork of the KCings Fiver, the Kings River, and the no. them shore of Pine. Flat Reservoir to the. point of beginning. NOTE Authority cited: Sections 200-221. Fish and Came Coda. History 1. New section. fled 6-6.75; deian=ted effective 7-1-75 (Register 75, No. 231_ 465.5. Use of Steel Leg-IFold or Conibe zr Type Traps. The fol- lowing regulations shall apply to the use of steel leg -hold or coiribear type traps used to take furbearing or ti,onielune roar=' -ma= (a) Traps with saw-toothed or sp Pd jaws may nofBe used. (b) Steel leg -hold traps with -a spread of 5!-_ inches or larger shall have jaws offset a minimum 0E1;6 inch, and shell incorporate a tension device of sufficient strength to prevent capture of nontaroet anir uals_ with Muskrats may.not be taken ith steel leg -hold traps hating a jaw spread larger than 4'/. inches. - (d) All traps shall bear a number registered with the depart= Any person who traps furbearing mammals or conga ne mammals shall - obtain a trap number registered with the depustnient. This section does not apply to trapping doiie for depredation control by the landowner or tenant. 52.34.2 NATUR •L.RESOURCE.S TITLE 14 (Re it;Tor 77. Rio. 23-67.4-7:1 (e) All traps sh: ll b•e :^::.ed once daily by the trapper and all trapped animals shall be removed. This section does not apply to trapping done for depredation control by the landowner or tenant_ (f)Steel leg -hold traps•with a jaw spread exceeclit:g 7% inches or traps of the conibear type with a jrw-opering larger than 10 -inches by I0 inches shall not be used_ (g) Steel leg -hold traps2hall not be set or maintained within_ 30 feet of bait placed in -such a manner or position that it may be seen by any soaring bird. As used in this subsection "bait" includes any bait cone - posed of marn,-nal, bird, or fish flesh, fur, hide, entrails. Or feathers_ Ncrim Authority cited: Seed s 2(Y)-221. Fish and Carpe Code_ • H:star- 1. New section filed 6-7-74; designated effective 7-1-74 (Register 7:, No. 23). • 2. Amendment Fled 5-4-76; designated effective 7-t-76 (Register 76, No. 27). • • 3. Editorial correct of subse_tion (b) (Register 76, No. 43)_1. 456. Hour's for Taking Furbearers. Furbearers may be taken at any hour of the day or nigh` except that they may not betaken between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise in the area described in Section 474(a) of these regulations.. . .f-Estaiy: L New section filed 6-5-72; ekceive thirtieth day thereafter (Register •. No. 24) - • ti FISH AND CAME CODE v DIVISION 4. BIRDS AND MAMMALS PART 1. PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO BOTH CHAPTER 1. .GENERAL .PROVISIONS Article 1. Methods of Taking 85 3000. It is unlawful to take. any bird .or mammal, •except a nongarne mammal, between one-half .hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day at the place of taking, except as otherwise provided in this code or under such regulations as the commission may adopt. The commission may adopt regulations prohibiting the taking of any nongame mammal between one-half hour after sunset.and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day at the place of taking. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1470.) 3001. It is unlawful to take birds or mammals with firearms or with bow • and arrow when intoxicated 3002. It is unlawful to shoot at any game bird or mammal, including a marine mammal as defined in Section 4500, from a powerboat, sailboat, motor vehicle, or airplane. (Amended by Statt. 1975, Ch. 786.) 3003. (Repealed by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1343.) 3003.5. It is unlawful to pursue, drive, or herd any bird or mammal with any motorized water, land, or air vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, airplane, powerboat, or snowmobile, except in any of the following circumstances: (a) On private property by the landowner or tenant thereof to drive or herd game mammals for the purpose of preventing damage by such mammals to private property. (b) Pursuant to a permit from the department issued under such regulations as the commission may prescribe. (c) hi the pursuit of agriculture. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Gb. 1343.) 3004. It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owrier or person in possession of the premises, to hunt or to discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith. The 150 -yard area is a "safety tone." 3005. It is unlawful to take birds or mammals with any net, pound, cage, b-ap, set line or wire, or poisonous substance, or to possess birds or mammals so taken, whether taken within or without this state. Proof of possession of any bird or mammal which does not show evidence of having been taken by means other than a net, pound, cage, trap, set line or wire, or poisonous substance, is prima facie evidence that the birds or manunals were taken in violation of the provisions of this section. This section does not apply to the lawful taking of furbearing Mammals / nongame birds, nongarne mammals, or mammals found to be injuring crops or property, nor to the taking of birds or mammals under depredation 4---81931 1980 j 86 FISH AND GAME CODE permits, nor to taking by employees of -the department acting in an official capacity or holders of a scientific or propagation permit acting in accordance with the conditions of the permit. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1470.) 3005.5. It is unlawful to capture any. garrie 'manurial ganie bird, or nongame bird, or to possess or confine any live game mammal, game bird, or nongame bird taken from the wild, except as provided by this code or regulations made pursuant thereto. Any bird or mammal possessed or confined in violation of this section shall be seized by the department. The conunission may promulgate -regulations permitting the • temporary • confinement of game mammals, game birds, or nongame birds for. the purpose of treating such animals, if injured or diseased. (Amended by Slats. 1971, Ch. 1470.) 3005.7. It is unlawful to capture any mountain lion or to possess or confine any live mountain lion taken from the wild, except as provided by this code or regulations made pursuant thereto. Any mountain lion possessed or confined in violation of this section shall be seized by the department. . The commission may promulgate regulations permitting .the temporary . confinement of mountain lions for the purpose of treating them, if injured or diseased. This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1983, and as of that date is repealed. (Amended by Stars. 1977, Ch. 390; effective only until January 1, 1983.) 3005.9. (a) It is unlawful to possess or confine any live cat (family Felidae), except house cats (Fells domesticus), except as provided iri this division and in Section 3202. Any cat possessed or confined in violation of this section may be seized by_the department for disposal as directed by the commission. The commission shall promulgate regulations permitting the temporary confinement of cats, other than house cats, for the purpose of required veterinary treatment or care, or for utilization- in television or motion picture productions. The following institutions, as defined, are exempt from the provisions of • this section: (1) Zoos certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. (2) Any university, college, governmental research agency, or other bona fide scientific institution, as determined by the department, engaging in • scientific or public health research. In addition, any organization which, or individual who, exhibits or cares for cats, such as circuses or wildlife rehabilitation centers, in compliance with standards that safeguard the health and wellbeing of the cats, as determined by the commission, shall be exempted frorn the provisions of this section. (b) Subdivision (a) of this section shall not prohibit the possession or confinement of any cat by a person who had lawful possession of such cat on January 1, 1979, pursuant.to a permit issued by the department under Section 2150 or Section 3200. The annual fee for such permit shall be set by the commission in an amount calculated to help cover the costs of administration. Progeny determined to have been conceived before January 1, 1979, are exempt from subdivision (b) of Section 3005.9 but are subject to department regulations regarding their possession or confinement. 1980 r (v j) The European settlers' view of the coyote as pest persists in much of North America, with 400,000 coyotes killed each year. O GREG',AUGIMYTOM STACK & ASSOCIATES people find exciting because they remind us that there is wildness not far beyond our communities. However, coyotes may prey on companion animals such as cats and small dogs since companion animals are similar in size to their natural prey. Though still rare, attacks on people have occurred, and have become more frequent, primarily when coyotes become habituated to the presence of humans and begin to directly associate people with food. Creating a Tragedy There has been only one reported human fatality from a coyote attack in U.S. history. In 1981, a coyote killed a 3 -year old girl in Glendale (a suburb of Los Angeles) whose family and neighbors had been leaving food out for coyotes and sitting in lawn chairs to watch them eat. By their actions, the family had taught the coyote to directly associate humans with food, leading to the tragedy. The Glendale attack, and others, could have been avoided had people recognized their own roles within the conflicts. Humans must begin to bear the responsibility for the creation and escalation of human/coyote conflicts and recognize that solutions will only be found when state and local governments, communities, and individuals alter their own behavior to head off coyote incidents. A 10 -year review of human/coyote conflicts in California concluded: [H]uman-caused changes in the environment, coupled with changes in human behaviour towards coyotes, may result in the development of serious human -coyote conflicts. Public aware- ness of the danger of coyotes and other large predators to humans and pets was found to remain a limited and localized issue, primarily existing where prior problems had occurred. The general public's lack of concern and awareness is a serious problem and is the real root of coyote - human conflicts. (R.O. Baker and R.M. Timm. "Management of conflicts between urban coyotes and humans in southern California." Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 18 (1998), 299-312.) Coyote Biology Coyotes (Canis latrans), native to North America, are small wild dogs that resemble German Shepherds, with large pointed ears and narrow muzzles. Varying in color from gray to red;all coyotes have a distinct black -tipped tail. Coyotes occupy the biological niche between foxes and wolves and play an integral role in their environment by helping maintain natural ecosystem functioning. Coyotes are primarily pack animals. (While loners do exist, they are generally found in heavily hunted populations or are young males dispersing from their pack.) Because of their strong social hierarchy, reproduction is generally reserved for the pack's leaders, the "alpha" male and female. The female typically gives birth to one litter a year between January and March. Litter size varies from 4 to 9 pups, with 2 pups surviving the first year on average in unexploited populations. The typical life span for a coyote living in the wild is five years. However, some wild coyotes have been known to survive into their teens. In heavily hunted populations, life spans are significantly shorter. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and will consume almost any available food, from berries and nuts, to rodents and rabbits, to garbage and carrion. Highly revered by many indigenous American cultures who recognized the coyote's cunning, wily, and adaptive ways, the coyote was known as the "trickster, "the creator," and "God's Dog." European settlers, however, considered coyotes to be pests, a view that persists in much of North America. As a result, the coyote remains one of the most persecuted animals across the U.S. 12 An trual issues Centuries of Persecution Traditionally, the preferred method of addressing conflicts between humans and coyotes has been to trap or shoot "problem" animals to reinforce the coyote's natural fear of humans. Besides placing undeserved blame on the coyotes for a human caused situation, lethal control ultimately fails because coyotes will eventually return unless the food that initially attracted them is removed. Still, the historical practice of killing predators remains a large obstacle to change. Americans have always had a penchant for persecuting predators. Even today, when a conflict arises between predators and humans, it is still the gun, trap, or poison that is most often used to address the problem. Such an approach is steeped in tradition and fueled by a centuries -old fear of predators. When European settlers first discovered large numbers of wolves, bears, coyotes, and other large carnivores inhabiting the prairies and forests of the newly colonized lands, they considered these animals "vermin" and competitors for game species as well as a threat to livestock. Bounties were offered, and a systematic predator eradication plan was established. In 1931 Congress expanded and formalized the predator killing campaign by passing the Animal Damage Control Act, which called for the"suppression, eradication, and control" of wild animals considered a threat to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, game species, and birds. The program killed off almost all of the few surviving wolves and grizzly bears in the lower 48 states and then set its sight on coyotes. Persecuted Predator To date, the coyote remains the most persecuted predator in the U.S. Each year, approximately 400,000 coyotes — one per minute — are killed by federal, state and local governments " A Iuuyli and sliieJ4d omnivore, the coyote will pursue food anywhere. even diving into a rabbit: hole. 1 �HRNDY 'OFIER and private individuals, primarily to protect livestock. Over time, the numbers are staggering. From 1916 to 1975, the Cooperative Federal Animal Damage Control program killed 3,973,558 coyotes, a figure that does not include the unrecorded millions of coyotes slaughtered by private trappers, hunters, and ranchers. Even today, most states have no laws regulating by what means, or how many, coyotes may be killed. Bounty laws passed in the 19th century are still on the books in a number of states, which pay hunters $1—$5 per coyote. Despite human's best efforts to eradicate the coyote, the coyote has thrived. As recently as the mid -1800s, coyotes could be found only in the prairies and grasslands of the western U.S. and Southwestern Canada. Human alteration of the landscape and the decimation of larger carnivores like the grey wolf and grizzly bear, have allowed the coyote to expand its range throughout the continent. One part of the coyote's success in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is its strong compensatory responses to population reductions, likely the result of evolutionary adaptations developed while competing with other canids, such as the gray wolf. Perfect Success Story When undisturbed by humans, coyotes regulate their own numbers based on the available food supply. This self - regulation results largely from the strong social hierarchy within packs. In unexploited populations, only the alpha pair — the pack leaders — breed. However, when populations are subjected to lethal control, as many as 50-60% of females breed because the social hierarchy has been disrupted. The new pups are also more likely to survive to adulthood because of decreased competition for available food. Also, coyotes in neighboring areas move in to fill the territories left by lethal control. Thus coyotes are able to rapidly replenish their numbers and reoccupy vacated habitat, effectively negating efforts to control their. No one knows just how many coyotes exist: Educated guesses range from one million to tens of millions. Today, coyotes inhabit Wild lands, suburbs, and cities from the Panama Canal to the edge of the Canadian tundra and from Central Park to Santa Monica Boulevard. In the Eastern United States, the coyote's trademark yip and howl has become fauiiliai. They have accomplished this expansion by being flexible in their habits, cooperative with their kind, opportunistic by nature, deft at observational learning, suspicious, tough, and shrewd. Indeed, the coyote's ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of persecution has left many in the lethal predator control business scratching their heads. In short, the coyote is a perfect ecological success story. Integral and Invaluable The deeply entrenched practice of addressing human/ coyote conflicts With -lethal force has been criticized big the public and some members of the scientific community because of a growing appreciation for large carnivores and their importance in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Coyote biologists have long recognized the role of coyotes in controlling rodent populations. A significant and growing body of research asserts that the presence of large carnivore Winter 2000 13 Wildlife Services The Wildlife Services program (for- merly Animal Damage Control) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). One of Wildlife Services (WS) most contro- versial activities is killing coyotes and other animals, primarily to protect westem livestock interests. Each year more than $10 million in federal funds is spent for this purpose, and more than 50% of this budget is spent on westem livestock protection — mainly coyote killing. However, with escalating con- flicts between humans and coyotes in urban and suburban areas, WS is increasingly moving into the business of "nuisance wildlife control." The lethal methods used are the same: poisons, steel -jaw leghold traps, strangulation neck snares, denning (the killing of coyote pups in their dens with poison gas and/or clubbing), hounding, shoot- ing, and aerial gunning. Condemned by many as non -selective, imprecise, hap- hazard, and often brutally inhumane, such methods have :come under in- creased public, Congressional, and scientific scrutiny. A 1994 audit of WS's livestock protection program found that when state and local contributions are added, WS kills coyotes at an average cost of well over $100 per animal. Costs sometimes exceed $2,000 per animal. Wildlife Services FY 98 Number of Coyotes Killed by Method Aerial Gunning 25,584 M44 19,405 Neck Snare 10,346 Call Shooting 6,085 Leghold Traps 9,703 Shot 3,271 Denning 1,902 Other Mechanical 1,446 Other Chemical 138 Livestock Protection Collar 54 Spot Shooting 42 Cage Traps 17 Leg/Foot Snare 3 Kill Traps 1 Total: Intentional Takes 77,985 Competition with other canids such as the gray wolf helped the coyote evolve his successful survival characteristics. O RANGY RAPIER species, such as the coyote, also preserves species diversity: One study in suburban San Diego found that by controlling the numbers of smaller carnivores, including grey fox, raccoon, striped skunk, opossum, and domestic cats in highly fragmented ecosystems, coyotes actually help preserve populations of native birds that would have otherwise been eaten by the smaller carnivores. Thus, while proponents of lethal control point to the coyote's predation of livestock and "game" species as "proof" of nefariousness, modem ecological research shows them to be integral, and invaluable, parts of our ecosystems. The Right to Live Free Increased public opposition to lethal methods has placed greater pressure on communities and wildlife managers to address conflicts with non -lethal means. Public opinion surveys demonstrate that there is a growing appreciation of wildlife in the U.S. as well as a desire for wildlife conflicts to be handled with non -lethal methods that cause the least amount of pain .and suffering. Indeed, animal suffering appears to be an increasingly important factor for Americans. In an April 1999 Decision Research poll commissioned by API, 76% of respondents believe "an animal's right to live free of suffering should be just as important as a person's right to live free of suffering." Significantly, the awareness that human/ coyote conflicts are very. often the result of human behavior has begun to permeate the philosophy of wildlife management, though there is a great deal of resistance to this notion, especially among state and, federal wildlife management agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services agency shit inappro- priately places blame for human/ wildlife conflicts on the animals and kills tens of thousands of predators each year, despite increased public opposition and a growing recognition among scientists that .lethal control • may be counterproductive (see "Wild- life Services," this page).. • Just one of the Ielhal `nuisance control" methods used by Wildlife Services is denning — the killing of coyote pups in their dens with poison gas and/or clubbing. t tom,,,, ,'&0 14 Animal Issues Keeping Coyotes ff You Encounter a Coyote at a Distance Coyotes are drawn to urban and suburban neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into native habitat and the availability of food. Take the following steps to prevent coyotes from being attracted to your home: • Secure garbage cans by fastening lids with rope, bungee cords, or chains and tying the handle to a stake driven into the ground. • Dispose of especially attractive food wastes such as meat, cheese, and eggs by adding a small amount of ammonia to the bag to deter coyotes. If it will be several days before garbage pick up, temporarily freeze these wastes until they can be properly disposed of. • When composting, use enclosed bins rather than exposed piles. Avoid adding dog or cat waste, meat, milk or eggs, and any food containing these products, to compost. • If you have fruit trees, pick the ripe fruit and keep fallen fruit off the ground. Coyotes are fond of ripe fruit. • Outdoor lights triggered by motion sensors may keep coyotes from approaching your house at night. • Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes find cover and critters to feed on. Note: Trapping and relocation of coyotes is not recommended. Disruption of family packs can cause orphaned juveniles to seek easy prey such as small dogs and cats. And other coyotes will move into the vacated area. Coyotes are usually wary of humans and will avoid people whenever possible. Aggressive behavior toward people is not normal and is most often a result of habituation due to feeding by humans. If you encounter a coyote, remember the following: • Never attempt to "tame" a coyote. • Avoid direct eye contact. • Do not turn your back or run from a coyote. • Attempt to leave the area calmly. • If followed by a coyote, make loud noises and make. yourself look big. • If this fails, throw rocks, first near the ground next to the coyote, then, if necessary, at the body, never the head. • Always keep yourself between the coyote and small children. • If attacked, fight back. . • Coyotes are not considered a disease threat. Outbreaks of rabies in coyotes are rare and not commonly implicated in the transmission of the disease to humans or domestic animals. Keeping Companion Animals Safe Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey to the coyote, while larger dogs may be injured in a confrontation. To avoid these situations consider the following. • Fence your property or yard. The fence must be at least 6 feet tall with the bottom extending at least 6 inches below the ground. Fences can be made more effective by outwardly inverting the top of the fence or by using electric fencing along the top and bottom of your fence. • Keep animals in at night (coyotes are primarily nocturnal). • If you allow your cats to go outside unattended and there is little or no natural tree cover, you can help protect your cat by installing "cat posts." Cat posts can be any type of long climbable wooden post (4x4 or corner posts) that stands out of the ground at least 6 to 8 feet. The post will provide the cat with an opportunity to escape from a pursuing coyote. (Note: API encourages cat guardians to keep their cats indoors where they are safe from cars and other animals.) • Don't leave dog or cat food outside. 9 Discuss an appropriate dog or cat vaccination program with your vet. (Note: Transmission of disease from coyotes to domestic animals is extremely rare; however canine distemper and rabies are known to be transmitted in this fashion.) • Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs. Male coyotes will be attracted to unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs may be lured away by an ovulating female coyote. Winter 2000 15 16 Animal Issues Accepting Responsibility After the tragic death in Glendale, the city opted not to conduct a widespread trapping program. Rather, after identifying and killing the coyote that attacked the young girl, city officials initiated an extensive public education program. The city sends information packets to citizens experiencing wildlife problems that describe coyote biology, fencing techniques, recommended sanitation practices, and modifica- tions in human behavior to mitigate conflicts. Trapping, using box traps, is only used as last resort to capture a "specific chronic problem coyote" when public safety is at risk. The city also enacted regulations mandating the securing of garbage. In his letter of introduction to citizens, Glendale Police Captain Michael Post writes, "The prevalent scientific view prescribes educated co -existence as the only realistic long term solution of coyote -human conflicts." The citizens of Glendale recognized that they had indirectly caused the death of the little girl by feeding and habituating coyotes. By accepting responsibility for creating an environ- ment attractive to coyotes, the community was able to solve its own problem. In fact, the neighborhood in which the little girl lived had no more incidents with coyotes after the proactive public education program was implemented. Inevitable Encounters As civilization encroaches further into wildlife habitat to make room for an ever-increasing human population, encounters between humans and coyotes will inevitably occur. Communities will be increasingly called upon to address such conflicts and wildlife managers will face greater public pressure to address coyote conflicts with non -lethal methods. API and other organizations have begun to work with state and local wildlife agencies to foster collaboration, to provide communities with resources and expertise, and to seek humane, effective, long-term solutions. Enter the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN), a diverse coalition of wildlife experts and wildlife agency representatives formed to address human / wildlife conflicts in northern California through public education and community forums. The city of San Ramon, tired of the escalating controversy, gladly welcomed UWIN and organized a public forum at the local Community Center. The authors represented API on the panel, along with representatives from the California Department of Fish and Game, the Little Blue Society, the San Mateo parks department, and an agricultural inspector from Santa Cruz. The meeting confirmed our belief that public education at the community level is pivotal to resolving conflicts with coyotes and other wild animals. People need a forum to air their concerns and fears while receiving concrete recommendations for resolving the perceived problems they are experiencing. Educated Co -Existence 6� The solutions are not always easy or readily available. But, if the money and efforts that would otherwise be used to kill coyotes were redirected toward non -lethal carnivore control methods — public education, preventive tactics to instill fear in wild animals, better landscape development, and improved fencing — coyote/human conflicts could be significant] reduced with no adverse impacts on the coyote populations. Coyotes that have been habituated to human activity can likewise be unhabituated by again learning to fear humans through aversive conditioning techniques. Indeed, because of the propensity of coyote populations to reoccupy vacant habitat, it may be ideal to maintain stable coyote packs that are conditioned to avoid human interaction, as they will prohibit transient coyotes, who may not have an aversion to humans, from entering their territories. While, as noted above, trapping has been the primary method used to achieve these results, it is neither humane, nor selective. More importantly, trapping and indiscriminate killing do not place the responsibility where it belongs — on humans. The only viable long-term solution to resolving conflicts with coyotes is to adopt a position of "educated co -existence." To this end, API has developed a number of educational materials to help individuals and communities effectively and humanely address conflicts with coyotes. Materials include a brochure and a radio public service announcement (PSA) that offer tips on methods to mitigate problems, and a detailed monograph highlighting the scientific research on non -lethal • predator management methods. If you have experienced coyote conflicts in your neighborhood and need assistance, please contact API. (We also would appreciate newspaper clippings on this subject so we can send our radio PSA to these communities to help educate the public.) Today, coyotes inhabit wild lands, suburbs, and cities from • the Panama Canal to the edge of the Canadian tundra. 0 RANDY RAPIER Facsimile Transmission TO: ce4,5-,1 FROM: Loren DeRoy Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Phone: (310) 544-0881 Fax: (310) 377-6627 Co ea, rocf ruvu,- DATE: 30 - 0! RE: # pages including this transmission cover sheet: /41: did cam _ 1 '5 "S the J - und. r-51,1<, )144t ovt. eettet///,.c, " orv/ -Y0 Cei if s ca., go, Ro--Ido, 6( ,S--ce ;I e TO 39t/d 1,,J; // SP''d foed/c. 1/1 ---/O.4 et, p4,, fLo- LZ99LLEOTE 90:0T TOM /OE /ZT Mercy Crusade Inc.: Coyote Al( rage 1 of L COYOTE ALERT! Mercy Crusade Inc. Many areas are undergoing extensive urban development. This has brought about some undesirable encounters with animals other than our domestic dogs and cats. One of the most reported incidents concerns sighting of coyotes. A brief overview of this highly adaptable creature follows for your information. Coyotes range from Central America to the Arctic. Almost every state in the U.S.A., every province in Canada; and all of Mexico is the home range for this truely unique creature. In form and size, coyotes resemble a small Collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle and bushy tail. Coloration of the animal may vary from light grey to nearly black to red or nearly white. Most active at night or during early morning hours, their good eyesight and keen sense of smell are of great value in locating food sources, such as small live animals, carrion, fruits, garbage or pet foods. These suggestions may help if you have a present problem with coyotes or may benefit in the prevention of problems : DO 1. Feed pets indoors or promptly remove food dishes when pets have completed their outdoor feeding. 2. Store bags of commercial pet food indoors. 3. Clear brush and dense weeds from around the area. 4.. Fence your yard to keep out unwanted animals. 5. Put trash in strong barrels with tight lids. DON'T 1. Feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. 2. Use plastic bags as trash containers. 3. Put trash out the night before pick-up, but rather on the scheduled day of service, at the latest chance. 4. Allow small domestic pets to run at large at any time. They are an easy prey for coyotes. Animal Control will respond to complaints about coyotes which have become a threat to humans or are observed during daylight hours. Due to the nature and characteristics of the coyote, the responding animal control officer will make the determination of what techniques or methods may be utilized in repelling the animal. The officer will also educate residents in steps that may be helpful in preventing future problems. The trapping of coyotes has been found controversial and "not effective" in solving the urban coyote problem. Animal Control will not trap coyotes unless one is found to be involved in a bite to a human. http://www.aaarforg/coyote.htra Z0 39Vd REMEMBER 12/29/2001 AOZi3O / 799/ 1 i t 9A : A T. T 7./IF/7.t Mercy 1Lrusade inc.: coyote rt ragch.vi�. Treat the coyote as you would any wild animal, do not attempt to capture, feed, or make "friends" with it. If you observe any coyote attacking a pet or observe any person coaxing an animal into their vehicle or possession, get a description of the person and/or vehicle and call 911, your local police or Animal Control. Pet Care and Tips Last updated 09/14/9815:00:01 http://www.aitarf.org/coyote.httn INDEX Nome Page 12/29/2001. `0 391d ArNlet /7.GQ//!=QT[' QF I T TOb7 /f7 /7 T Animal Care Services: wildlife filiation on Loyotes rage 1 of . Wildlife Information on Coyotes Animal Care Services JJ Health Care Agency Regulatory Health Animal Care Services (714) 935-6943 Ctr. (714) 935-6300 IJc. Many residents of Orange County are expressing concern about coyote sightings and the consequences of predator animals within the urban environment. Several residents have lost their pets to these skilled hunters because many are not aware of recent coyote activity in the area. Coyotes are found in ALL areas of Orange County. Contrary to popular belief, these animals do not require open space or "wild areas" to survive. In fact, most coyotes within the urban setting are the offspring of generations of coyotes who lived and flourished in the urban areas of Orange County. Though these animals are far from domesticated, they are very comfortable living in close proximity to human beings. They have little fear of man and are frequently seen trotting along within a few feet of joggers, bikers and horseback riders. While not normally a danger to human beings, coyotes will display defensive behaviors if threatened or cornered, therefore, it is important to leave a comfortable distance between you and a coyote. Small pets can easily become coyote prey. Cats and small dogs should not be allowed outside alone, even in a fenced yard. It is highly recommended that srnall pets always be accompanied by their owner. Though coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they can be observed at all hours of the day and will not pass up the opportunity for an easy meal. A dog or Cat left in a backyard can be taken in a matter of moments. Many steps can be taken to protect you and your property from nuisance animals like coyotes and other wildlife. 6 Fence off animal enclosures (fully enclose if possible). 6 Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult. Feed pets indoors. 6 Store trash In covered heavy-duty containers. 6 Keep yards free from potential shelter such as thick brush and weeds. 6 Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks. 6 Eliminate potential food and water sources, such as fallen fruit and standing water. If you do encounter a coyote that behaves aggressively, you have probably gotten too close to its prey or its family. Increase the "comfort zone" between �-� http://www.oc.ca.gov/hca/regulatory/coyoteinfo.htm 12/29/2001 1,L gt)ti,1 xri .r1ri 1700) I r]TC On •n7 Tnn7 /r]r_ /7T Animal Care Services: Wild] nlormation on coyotes you and the coyote. A coyote behaves in a similar way as domestic dogs that are defending their territory and family. Even a fully fenced yard will not keep out a hungry, athletic coyote. These animals are extremely agile and can easily scale any residential fence. All children should be taught from a very early age that they should avoid strange animals, whether domestic or non -domestic. They should never attempt to feed a wild animal. When older children are hiking or are in parks, they should be instructed on coyote safety. Eradication and/or relocation of the urban coyote is not effective. These programs actually provide a vacuum in nature causing these animals to have even larger litters, ultimately increasing the coyote population. Practicing these defensive measures will minimize the nuisances and losses caused by urban coyotes. For more information contact: Orange County Animal Care Services (714)935-6848 RICA itQnte I ACCSOAthility I ulrectorY I Job opP9rtunities I ACS Index ©2001 Orange County Health Care Agency Send comments to FICA Public Information Adopt -A -Pet and Lost & round animals updated, automatically, every 30 minutes 12/29/2001 http://www.oc.ca..gov/hca/regulatory/coyoteinfo.htm qA -qqt -1 Art flrT /7.49//f=ATP 9G1 t TG1G17 /PIP /7T L)F'Ci Utters Brochure on Laving ! C,alnrorrua l.oyotes ragclu1J 4 RESOURCES ARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 4 PUBLIC AFFAIRS /Ct SERVAT/ONED--J01T/0N Return to list of Press Releases Press Release: For Immediate Release July 9. 1998 DFG Offers Brochure on Living with California Coyotes Contact: Lorna Bernard, Wildlife Management Division, (916) 653-0991 SACRAMENTO — Co -existing with coyotes in California is the subject of a recently released four- color brochure published by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). "Living with California Coyotes" is available at any DFG office_ The tri-fold brochure calls attention to the precarious balance between humans and wildlife, and how tipping the balance even just a little can have serious consequences. "Observing wild animals is one of the many benefits of living in or near wildlife habitat," the brochure states. "The experience can turn unpleasant or even dangerous, however, when well-meaning people feed wildlife. When fed by people, coyotes become unnaturally bold and the result is conflict between coyotes and people, which too often ends in serious hams." Coyotes are found throughout California, from desert regions to mountain habitats_ Coyotes are also seen cornmonly near urban areas. They are extremely adaptable and survive off whatever food is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, and can also kill deer and livestock. The brochure warns against feeding coyotes or leaving food out where the animals can get it. Once coyotes lose their fear of humans, they can become aggressive in their search for food. Pet owners have reported how they have lost their animals to these predators. Although relatively rare, coyote attacks on humans, especially small children, have increased in recent years. The brochure offers these safety guidelines: . Never feed a coyote: Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes when pets finish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors. Also, use trash cans with lids that clamp shut, which will prevent spilling if the cans are overturned. . Clear areas near homes: Removing brush and dense weeds from around dwellings reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents, which are a primary source of food. . Protect children: Never leave small children unattended in areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even in your yard. http://www.dfg.ca.govinews/news98/98073.html 12/29/2001 QQ 1I I J 1rt Lttl tJ11CLJ DLUl.11LLLG OIL L11 WjU1 t.t1111Ur11121 I.UyULes rage z or s • Protect pets and livestock: It's best to keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors — they are easy and favored prey. Additionally, large dogs should be brought indoors after dark. Certain added precautions should be taken when building rabbit hutches or a chicken coop that can add safety to your livestock. • Use negative reinforcement: Let coyotes know they are not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks, spray them with garden hoses. For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans. However, if coyote problems persist, contact your local animal control agency or county agricultural commissioner for assistance. Northern California p J 3V2_- 71O0 (530) 225-2300 s� Z The brochure points out that people should contact the nearest DFG office if a coyote behaves aggressively or attacks a human. If the encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call.local police, county sheriff, or DFG's 24 -hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. Other DFG numbers that can be called during normal office hours include: z3S IQ►� . -/US Sacramento Valley/Central Sierra Nevada (916) 358-2900 Central Coast (707) 944-5500 San Joaquin Valley/Southern Sierra Nevada (209) 222-3761 Southern California (562) 590-5132 Eastern Sierra (760) 872-1171 #### Ketn r fo fist a f. Piss aele.4_sss Contact: Conservation Education; Press & Media Relations Phone: 916-653-7664 Media Relations Office State of California Dept. of Fish & Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, California 95814 http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news98/980773.html 12/29/2001 DECEMBER 19, 2001 City 4 Rolling Willa JVewaletter MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Thomas F. Heinsheimer Frank E. Hill Allen Lay Jody Murdock Godfrey Pernell Happy Holidays! and Happy New Year! Members of the Rolling Hills City Council and Staff wish all Rolling . Hills residents a safe and happy Holiday Season. City Hall will be closed in observance of the Holidays on Monday, December 24th, Tuesday, December 25th and Tuesday, January Pt. MEETING SCHEDULE Listed below are the schedules for the regular meetings 3f the Rolling Hills City Council, Planning 1 Commission, Traffic Commission and Wildlife 1 Preservation Committee: / City Couricil (2n0 and 4'h Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m.) ► Planning Commission (3" Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.) ► Traffic Commission (9" Thursday every other month at 8:30 a.m.) ► Wildlife Preservation Committee (3i' Monday of each nionth at 6:00 p.m.) All of these meetings take place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and they are open to the public. All residents are invited to attend. If you have any questions regarding these meetings, please call City Hall at 377.1521. • RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE Beginning December 26th through January 15th To participate, place your tree, with decorations and stands removed, next to your yard waste and BFI Will transport it to a facility where it will be used for mulch, compost, and landfill cover. Flocked trees and trees coated with fire retardant will be accepted. Please cut trees over six feet in half. Do not place trees in plastic bags. If you have any questions, please contact BFI's customer Service Department at 1-888-742-5234 or City Hall at 377-1521. CITY ADOPTS EXTERIOR LIGHTING STANDARDS 4s mentioned in previous Newsletters, the City Council ias adopted an exterior lighting ordinance that is iesigned to retain and enhance the rural environment :haracterized by the natural light and lack of artificial ight in the City. Nighttime darkness in the City :ontributes• significantly to the tranquil rural environment and creates a more natural setting for wildlife and thereby enhances the quality of life and idds to property values. The purpose of the ordinance .s to provide that excessive light does not spill onto ieighboring properties, easements and roadways. Issue No. 01-24 The ordinance provides that lighting is permitted to illuminate porches and entryways into buildings. However, bulbs for such lighting shall be non -reflective and shall not exceed the wattage of a 40 ,watt incandescent light bulb to a maximum of 400 lumens or their equivalent if non -incandescent lighting is used. All properties in the City of Rolling Hills must come into compliance with the exterior lighting ordinance within one year of the date of adoption. Therefore, properties must come into compliance by the end of April, 2002. If you have questions or concerns, please contact City Hall at 377-1521. PEST DAMAGE A Rolling Hills resident recently experienced almost $5,000 worth of damage to his vehicle caused by rats or mice. Apparently, the rodents routinely entered the engine compartment of his vehicle in search of a warm place to rest. While in the vehicle, they damaged a great deal of the wiring and other systems in the engine compartment. It is suggested that residents use traps in their garages if they observe rats or mice in the area. DOG BARKING CAN BE A NUISANCE It is common for people to allow their dogs to sleep outdoors. Please make sure that your dog is not barking in a manner which creates a nuisance for your neighbors. THANK YOU! SMALL PET SAFETY We have been receiving periodic reports of coyote sightings in the City. Further, we have had a few reports of missing cats in the City. Coyotes prey upon small domestic pets. Therefore, you should take appropriate caution in the care of your small domestic pets and keep them indoors. You Are Cordially Invited to Attend ? The Rolling Hills Women's Club 7: Installation Luncheon iti January 9th at 10:30 a.m. - Restaurant Christine , Please mail your $27 reservation check to Sheri Gill, 31 Chuckwagon Road, RH. > UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS Wildlife Preservation Committee .-1/7/02 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting 1/14/02 and 1/28/02 at 7:30 p.m. Planning Conirnission Meeting 1/15/02 at 7:30 p.m. Traffic Commission Meeting 1/24/02 at 8:30 a.m. BULLETIN BOARD FOR SALE: New cedar sauna, $2,000, call377.3765. FOR SALE: Antique oak roll-top desk, call 377-3518. FOR SALE: Country French dinning room set, 3 leaf table with 10 chairs, excellent condition. Call 544-2211. WANTED: Rental of garage space for small sports car, call 377- 1636. TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: City WA/tiny _AIL INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377-1521 FAX (310) 377-7288 E-mail: cityofrh@aol.com Agenda Item No.: 5.1 Mtg. Date: 01/07/02 HONORABLE CHAIR AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE CRAIG R. NEALIS, CITY MANAGER CONSIDERATION OF CORRESPONDENCE FROM MRS. DEBRA FOURNIER REGARDING COYOTES DATED 12/20/01 JANUARY 7, 2002 MEMBERS OF THE WILDLIFE Attached to this staff report is correspondence received by the City on December 20, 2001 expressing concern about coyotes in the community. Specifically, Mrs. Fournier is requesting a more aggressive method of trapping for coyotes. Currently, the City deploys Have -A -Heart cage traps through the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, at the request of residents to trap coyotes, or other nuisance wildlife on their property. The Community Association has also deployed a cage trap at the request of residents. Residents have also used the services of a private trapping contractor that deploys the same type of trap. Traps deployed at the request of residents are generally the result of multiple sightings of coyotes by the resident or suspected or witnessed predatory activity against their small domestic pets. The traps deployed by the County and Community Association have not been successful in catching any coyotes. We have not been advised as to the status of the activities of the private trapper. The City began receiving telephone calls (coyote sightings/complaints) regarding these animals in 1996. In 1999, the City received four reports of coyote sightings. In 2000, 12 contacts were made by residents reporting coyote sightings, suspected coyote "howling" and suspected predatory activity against a small domestic pet. In 2001, we. received 37 contacts including sightings, howling, suspected and witnessed predatory activity against small domestic pets. In August, 2000, we began including periodic articles in the Citywide Newsletter advising residents to take care in the management of their small domestic pets. A copy of this type of article is attached to this staff report. I requested further information from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control on this subject. They have supplied the attached correspondence,. which identifies the "collarum" trap for trapping coyotes. A representative of the County -1- O Printed on Recycled Paper Department of Animal Care and Control is in attendance this evening to present information on this subject to the Committee. At the December 17, 2001 Wildlife Preservation meeting, Committee Members Loren Deroy and Steve Shultz were directed to research information on coyotes with the goal of producing an informational flyer on the subject. This is in keeping with previous flyers that have been prepared by the Committee on similar subjects. Information supplied by Committee Member Loren Deroy is also attached to this staff report. Further information regarding coyote incidents in Southern California as well as coyote educational material that has been supplied by 'the Department of Animal Care and Control is included with this staff report. ' RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that members of the Wildlife Preservation Committee consider this correspondence and any public testimony and provide appropriate direction to staff. CRN:mlk 01/07/01 wpcfou rnierl tr.sta FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:21AM P1 TELECOPY COVER SHEET Date: jape/p Time: /!7 4710 TO: Name: / !I5 a Company: Telephone No. eizi gazes Telecopier No. 77 702 f FROM: • Fournier 310-541-8905/fax: 541-1105 Number. of Pages (including cover sheet): REMARKS': joi cc • FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:22AM P2 December 20, 2001 TO: Rolling Hills Community Association Fax: 544-6766 Rolling Hills City Hall Fax: 377-7288 FROM: Debra Fournier 30 Crest Road East, Rolling Hills RE: Coyote concerns To whom it may concern, Thank you for listening to my concerns today about the coyote : Jacks that are now fearlessly roaming throughout Rolling Hills. I am forwarding a copy of a newspaper article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times earlier this week. Our si ztation appears to be very similar to theirs. Hopefully, you will do something to maximize the safety of the Rolling Hills residents before one of our own neighborhood children is maimed or killed. I will not be able to attend the January 16th meeting, and I want to be ct rtain that my voice is heard regarding this matter. I would also appreciate it if you v ould forward a copy of this letter to the RHCA Wildlife Committee for their upcoming meeting. I have been very aware of coyotes on my property since May o12001. I first spotted one walking around in my back yard, about 30 feet from my balk door, at about 7:30 one morning. It was very scrawny -looking and I initially thought t hat it was an abandoned or lost dog_ I went outside to check if it had a dog license, End realized that it wasn't a dog. It stared straight at me for a few seconds before running 3ff toward the back of my property and into the Purple Canyon brush. I continued to ::pot various coyotes during the early morning or evening hours throughout the surruaer. I also heard and saw the remains of numerous small animal "killings" in my back y urd at night...not a very pleasant experience! In August, our family went on vacation. Upon returning, our }vase sitter (Ashley Gallagher) commented about how she had been afraid to go down to the barn to feed our horses because coyotes , traveling in pairs, were often hanging out ther: --even during daylight hours. She stated that they were not at all afraid of her, as the. • would come very close and stare at her. Ashley's description was my exact experience.:: he had been extremely concerned that they would attack our dog. Their boldness sh, ,eked her. For safety purposes, our dog was kept inside the house whenever she left. 1'his is a practice that I now keep, as well. How sad that, although the coyotes have the 1 reedom to roam my. property whenever and wherever they desire, my own dog does not have that ability. I don't dare let my young grandchildren outside to play without very close supervision either. I continue to watch these coyotes roaming my backyard at all la furs —both day and night. They are now very filled -out and healthy -looking. Just today, o: ie came quite near FROM : F PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:22AM P2 me as I was mucking out my barn_ I had to lock my dog in our tack roc m, as I was concerned she would be attacked. They were clearly interested in her. I understand that there are several coyote packs in various parts of the city_ The particular pack near me is apparently living somewhere in the Purple C enyon brush. The pack is quite large, and they yip most every night as they begin their hu it. I don't mind their yips, but I do mind the screams that follow from their attacks. Mo: t of the feral cats in our neighborhood have disappeared_ The mouse and rat population, .iowever, is on the rise as the cats vanish_ The "barn life" makes this very obvious to me. Even though coyotes are supposed to eat these rodents, they have not been as succes::ful as the cats in minimizing their population_ I think the coyotes have been focusing on the larger critters, instead. At the suggestion of City Hall, 1 bad Animal Control drop o$ a :age m an attempt to trap the coyotes. I went through great effort to follow their guideline s. We were unsuccessful in all of our. efforts. Animal Control confirmed that they 1 lave not yet had one coyote caught in these traps, although they are receiving many regt ests for them. These animals are simply too clever and too well fed from the wild critters that roam the canyons. A different method is needed. As the coyotes become more and more bold and the packs increase in size, my concern for human safety also increases proportionately. I think that it is time for our community to react more aggressively in pursuing their capture and ridding our neighborhood and its citizens of the danger that they impose on our• children and domestic animals _aes well as the peace and freedom they are stern; from us- the slow action (or lack thereof) being taken by our representative committ a is not enough. I realize that this is a very controversial subject but, in my opinion, the Wildlife Committee is on the wrong track. I am not certain that their opinions ate representative of the majority of our residents —particularly those of us in harm's way. Maybe an Rolling Hills residents need an opportunity to vote on this matter, rathe than forcing us all to rely on the response of a few individuals who are biased toward ti eese dangerous, wild animals. I am hoping that whatever future response is taken regarc ing the coyotes, it does not remain i gffective_ I also hope that it will not come "too late. It will be a sad day when one of our own neighborhood toddlers is maimed or killed by one. of these wild animals Is that what it is going to take to get an appropriate response 1 tom our representatives? P.plice search for coyote th; it attacked girl Stamm Witti TOitautratiter Ifiirlig.Tt Wiens* ffetaillter SitereideM Police search for coyote that attacked girl NBC4.TV LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 - As state Fish and Gamy: crews continued the search tonight for a coyote that bit a 3 -year -old girl last weekend, the your, gster continued to undergo precautionary rabie; treatments. The preschooler was on the front porch of her home in the 200 block of Segovia Avenue when the animal attacked her about 7:30 Saturday evening, said San Gabriel police Capt. Al Brandvold. Ramiro Virgen, the girl's father, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the family was on its way to see some Christmas decorations. "She walked out of the house first, and all of a sudden I heard the screams. When I ran outside, she was on her belly and the coyote was pulling at the hood" of her sweater, Virgen said. When he rolled his daughter over, he found a scrape on her forehead, a gash on her ear and bite marks on her shoulder. "The coyote wasn't showing any signs of fear either. He stood there watching for a while," he said. Fish and Game officials wished they had been notified sooner about the attack, which left the girl with wounds behind her left ear, and on her neck and shoulder, and required a total of 13 stitches to close. Mervin Hee of Fish and Game said had the animal been httpJ/www.msnbc.com/lo :al/KNBC/NBCTTRRODVC.asp Page I of 2 COE Current Cc 39 HIGH 6 LOW 4 10i'AI x TOP: • LOCI • LOCI ICIER Choose rr from affiliates LOS M ORANd VENTUI PALM SANDII OTHER ‘A' h l Question our newst Send us E 12/19/01 t'd Wd£z:OT T002 13E 'oaa 'ON 3NOHd A : W021d FROM : F Police search for coyote that attacked girl PHONE NO. : Dec. 20 2001 10:24RM P5 Page 2 of 2 caught quickly DNA testing could have been dor a to determine if it was rabid, so the child would not i iecessarily have to undergo the rabies treatments. Brandvold said this is the first time he can recall anyone in San Gabriel being attacked by a coyote. But Hee said such reports are becoming increasii igly common "Coyotes have attacked people nine times in the past year in Southern California," Hee said. "That's about tw ice as many as last year, which was twice as many as the yea: before." "What we have -- coyotes are losing their fear o 'human beings. We are raising animals that have no fear of human beings," he said. The basic problem, he said, is that coyotes have discovered easy food sources in towns adjacent the San Gabriel Mountains. "This is the animals's habitat and our populatioi I. is expanding and so is their's. The food sources draw them ar.d they lose their fear of humans," he said. Hee said Fish and Game agents are getting goof! at catching coyotes with traps and snares. "Coyotes are ere: Mures of habit and they will return to where they got food befc re," he said. "They are very social, pack -oriented animals, b• it these animals (that come into urban areas) cannot ju: t be put back in the wild. They. won't be accepted" when retu ned to the. mountains, he said. MSNBC is optimized for: • Microsoft Internet Explorer • Windows Media Player • MSNBC Terms, conditions and Privacy ®.2001 Cover I News 1 Business 1 Sports 1 Local 1 Health I Technology 1 Llvir g & Travel TV News [Opinions I Weather 1 Comics 1 Information Center 1 Help 1 News Tools !Weft Us 1 Terms. Conditions and Privacy rvi http://www. .msnbc.cornilocal/KNBC/NBCTTRRODVC.asp D 12/19/01 DEC -20-2001 09:29 562E691777 P.01'04 LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL 11258 So. Garfield Avenue, Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-8871 • 562) 869-1777 (fax) DOWNEY 11258 So. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-6898 (562) 861-9240 (fax) LANCASTER 5210 W. Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 (661) 723-3409 (fax) Marcia Mayeda, Director Shelter Locations BALDWIN PARK 4275 N. Elton Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 962-3577 (626) 960-8223 (fax) CASTAIC 31044 N. Charlie Cyn. Rd. Castaic, CA 91384 (661) 257-3191 (661) 295-1619 (fax) CARSON 216 W. Victoria St. Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 523-9566 (310) 538-9229 (fax) AGOURA 29524 Agoura Rd. Agoura, CA 91301 (818) 991-0071 (818) 597-9818 (fax) To: G 16- Ne-- j 9 AWA4)& tfiLL5 WI C -1 » IniffiEb- 1a0010 1 b f ne.09a 6-- AIM k- rev& (:0/V T,+ c, -r- IA! F0 Foe- yam- C '<�' -1,9r-&1) c1i - fG Cam/EJ 34C/9-0 S i5H-v- i- "iE- _ r P & --& - rE ¢-P19E45. (.05 5 with j[)1U& /7- Ye Yozi Se) - 7T)r Y _ 24/,5) r V ( " oN . t es e-bity Alit /114 i/v4 T1$7 FQ ,Fs (Pe ' y €M I-tt -# Dept.: From: Date: DEC -20-2001 09:30 562E691777 P.02/04 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES PUBLIC HEALTH - DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMS VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND RABIES CONTROL December 20, 2001 TO: Dr. Shirley Fannin Disease Control Programs FROM: C. Patrick Ryan, D.W. M., M.P.H. Chief, Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control SUBJECT: COYOTE ATTACKS 3 -YEAR -OLD GIRL A 3 -year -old girl was attacked on the family's front porch by a coyote in San Gabriel Saturday night. The girl was taken to the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and received 13 stitches to repair her ear. The victim is undergoing rabies treatment. The California Department of Fish and Game is on the hunt for the coyote, but have not found it. The search includes using an electronic device that makes the sounds of coyotes or house cats to attract the coyotes. If the animals come into sight, Fish and Game authorities use a rifle equipped with a silencer to kill them. Nonetheless, identification of the bitting coyote will be difficult. Coyotes are common in the foothill regions of the San Gabriel Valley. An increase in coyote attacks is being seen throughout Southern California. The animals usually hunt at night, preying on small animals, such as, mice, rabbits, squirrels and pets. In urban areas, coyotes supplement their diet with: garbage, feeding by people and eating food left out for pets. Dry river beds, washes, storm drains and canals often serve as a highway for coyotes in the urban area. Golf courses are another habitant for urban coyotes. Zoos have problems with coyotes preying on animal exhibits. In 1987 coyotes destroyed fifty- three flamingos at the Los Angeles Zoo. In past years, coyotes have killed penguins and other animals at the Los Angeles Zoo. In 199S, coyotes killed flamingos and a two -year -old Andean condor in the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park. After the 1995 problem, the zoo installed a six and a half mile perimeter fence around their facility to keep wildlife out. Coyotes once primarily lived in western North America. However, they now inhabit much of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and even parts of Central America. Some people believe that urban coyotes wandered in from the wilderness and the solution is to return the lost wildlife to their homes. However, urban wildlife are typically born in the city. Coyotes typically avoid people but may become brazen if they are hungry or diseased. One of DEC -20-2001 09:30 5628691777 P.03/04 the biggest threats coyotes pose for people, are attacks, especially on children. In 1979, a coyote attempted to drag a 13 -month -old baby out of a yard in Agoura. In 1981, a coyote killed a 3 - year -old girl in her Glendale yard. In 1995 there were several coyote attacks on people in Griffith Park. In July of this year, a 3 -year -old boy was treated for a puncture wound to his right knee and given rabies prevention shots -after being bitten by a coyote in Irvine's San Leandro Park. Infectious disease surveillance on coyotes has been conducted in Los Angeles County (Coyotes and Practitioners. PULSE 39(7), 1997. Seroepidemiology ofBartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii Infection in California Coyotes, 1994-1998 Emerging Infectious Diseases. 5(5), 2000). Results of restricted infectious disease surveillance in local coyotes are listed in table 1. Of the ten diseases, 80 percent are zoonoses. With closure of the animal diagnostic laboratory, future surveillance will be difficult. Table 1 Infectious diseases detected in local coyotes ** American trypanosomiasis* yes Hepatozoonosis no Babesiosis yes - Histoplasmosis** yes Bartonellosis Yes Hookworms yes Blastomycosis yes Plague Yes Canine hepatitis no Scabies yes Typically transmitted by triatomine bugs. Infection follows inhalation of mold in soil or dust contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Attachment: Diseases Detected in Los Angeles County Coyotes c. Dr. Karen.Ehnert, Dr. Brit Ouilfstad, Dr. Ashley Robinson, Dr. Cassandra Smith and Marcia Mayeda "Dedicated to better health in man and animal by the control of disease common to both" Established 1872 coyote-memol .wpd DEC -20-2001 09:31 562E691777 P.04iO4 COUNTY OF LOS AN�GE�HLE D- I DEPARTMENT VER �MNTNR'fOL P OGR MS�VICES PUBLIC HE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND RABIES CONTROL Diseases Detected in Los Angeles County Coyotes 1. American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) is transmitted by triatomine bugs. Infection can also be transmitted by blood transfusions or transplacentally. The disease can affect: the heart, esophagus, colon and brain. It is seen in: people, cats, dogs opossums, rats, and other mammals. 2. Babesiosis is a parasite of the red blood cells that affects a variety of animals and occasionally people. The disease is transmitted by ticks. Symptoms may be fever, anemia, jaundice or reddish urine. 3. Bartonella species have been identified in a wide range of mammalians, including cats, dogs, rodents and people. A 1994-1998 CDC study found bartonellosis to be common in Southern California coyotes. Antibody prevalence to Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii was 34 percent. 4. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection most commonly seen in cats, dogs and people. It is found in the soil and when the soil is stirred up, the organism is aerosolized and can be inhaled. The lungs are often infected, with symptoms of fever and coughing. 5. Canine hepatitis, a viral disease seen in dogs, coyotes and other wildlife. Symptoms vary from a fever to death. The disease does not affect people. 6. Hepatozoonosis, a dog disease transmitted by ticks, with symptoms of fever and emaciation. The disease does not affect people. 7. Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection of people and animals contracted from soil that contains bat or bird manure. The disease can be fatal, but is treatable. 8. Hookworms, a roundworm that lives in the digestive tract of animals, sucks blood and heavy infections cause anemia. The larva can penetrate human skin and cause "creeping eruptions". 9. Plague is a disease historically transmitted by infected fleas. Most infected coyotes and dogs do not develop symptoms of the disease. But infected cats develop the disease similar to. that in people. Infected cats run a fever, develop tender, swollen lymph nodes and may die. 10. Scabies is a mite infection of the skin. The mites cause crusts and scabs on the body. In coyotes affected areas include: the ears, elbows and face. People can obtain the parasite by handling infected animals. Symptoms in people include scratching and small red dots on the skin in contact with infected animals. coyote -disease l .wpd TOTAL P.04 The Collar= Humane Trapping Device http://www.collaniin.c( re aror : Restraints NI Box in Lajttice, Vyottog 162(f (3W'7:)33 464 :{ O7) 5 971B Home Page Product T formaationi Video Clip • Farb ar 4 SlapP1ies Sett ai .. S4 tfiI S Dea leer I4?quiries The Collarum TM - Canine Capture Device Live Capture or Lethal Control of 3 12/13(01 3:42 PM The Collarum - Testim iIs 12/20/01 8:59 AM Testimonials Testimonials for the Collarum" Just to update you, we caught a second coyote in a Collarum" today only despite some very determined efforts to escape, was completely uninjured We had great success using the Collarum" last week right in the middle of three coyotes. None of the animals suffered injuries from the trap. For bait the "T" bait cap. The fleece or towel was then soaked with a slurry of canr Ray Smith L. A. County AgriculturalCommissioner Dept. Arcadia, CA Just a quick note to let you know I have only had one occasion to use the snare) Coyote on campus in June prior to our graduation, and Collarum'd I a cubby type set. The coyote was tired as heck and the former clump was trap and have recommended it to L.A. Co. and others! Now onto other research, so bye for now and congratulations on your grez Rex Baker ROMAB Enterprises, Inc. Corona, CA "I put the Collarum" out the first weekend I got it. In three days I caught tw had been after for two years. They'd run out of options. I look forward to u: Gary Beeman Avian Pest Control Lafayette, CA ["I've caught] Two dogs, 1 yote and 1 ole wolf (timber). I cant say enough center them on the pull tab , you got em! I put a paws trip shock spring or damage outside of animals, (24 hr check) wolf and yote were easier to rele normal gait, yote and wolf actually stopped and looked back when aways a Owner of animal control company in Wisconsin I have'used the Collarum" for two months and have had great success. Sc have started cleaning up our city and dogs bothering local livestock. Rick Gonzalez Grand Junction, CO [Home] [Product Information] [Parts and Supplies] [Testimonials]' [Contact Green Mountain] [Dealer. lnauires] [Video] [Links] [Setting Instructions] The Collarum 12/20/01 8:59 AM Green Mountain, Inc. E -Z Lee Traps and Predator Restraints PO. 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E -Z Lee Traps and Predator Restraints PO. Box 132 Lander, Wyoming 82520 (307)332-4649 Fax: (307)335-9718 Home • • Product Information Video Clip Parts . and Supplies Setting Instructions Home Page The Collarum" -° Canine Capture Device Live Capture or Lethal Control The Collarum" • 100% Canine Specific*. dog, fox, dingo. • 70% of coyotes show n significant` injury uncle international standard: • Safe to use in urban se around livestock. • Adjustable trigger • Reusable cable The Collarum" -e Canine Capture Device Designed to Meet International Hum; Standards There is a worldwide demand for more humane devices to capture animals, both fur bearers anc Marcia Mayeda Director Administrative Office 11258 S. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-8871 Fax (562) 869-1777 Shelter Locations 11258 S. Garfield Ave. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-6898 216• W. Victoria St. Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 523-9566 4275 No. Elton Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 962-3577 5210 W. Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93536 (805) 940-4191 31044 N. Charlie Cyn. Rd Castaic, CA 91384 (805) 257-3191 29525 Agoura Rd. Agoura, CA 91301 (81 8) 991-0071 December 20, 2001 Craig R. Nealis City Manager & City Clerk City of Rolling Hills 2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, California 90274 Dear Mr. Nealis: net '\O CO NU TY OF LOS ANGELES ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL In response to your inquiry about coyote abatement, our research has determined that coyotes can legally be trapped and removed from areas where their presence poses a danger to humans, domestic animals and livestock. Under California law, steel jaw, leg -hold traps are illegal, and may not be used. The City of Rolling Hills could set out padded leg hold traps, provided you have received permission to do so from the California Department of Fish and Game. In Los Angeles County, unless a local government chooses to do the work itself, the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is responsible for coyote abatement efforts. That agency reports success using a snare trap that avoids the legal pitfalls of the leg -hold trap. The City might wish to contact Ray Smith at Agriculture/Weights and Measures at (626) 450-7445 for further information. Or, as an alternative, the City or its residents might wish to consider purchasing snare traps directly from the Lander, Wyoming firm that manufactures them and deploy the traps on an as -needed basis in areas of Rolling Hills where coyote predation poses a specific problem. Home owners would not require a permit to deploy these traps on their property. However, since the City of Rolling Hills has no leash law, anyone setting up any kind of live -catch animal trap on his or her property would be well advised to monitor the trap at least on a daily basis to make sure a neighbor's pet did not accidentally trip the capture mechanism and become trapped. Animal control officers from our agency would remove and euthanize any coyotes trapped in the City. Craig R. Nealis City. of Rolling Hills Coyote Abatement December 20, 2001 Also, a number of other cities that, like Rolling Hills, have problems of coyote predation, have crafted a multi -faceted approach to the matter. In addition to their local abatement efforts, they also conduct public education/awareness campaigns. I am including some literature developed for those campaigns for your consideration as a supporting effort to coyote trapping and removal. Sincerely, for Marcia Mayeda Director ?)14-d1")14 Judy Meraz Deputy Director WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS es get comfortable wit year for otes not ex The sing-alongs of aanis • L`".:Ititridies pierce the night". -.coyotes"have been re-" ort d attacking pets .and raid- ing,,garbage: cans: "All the,foothill communities are reporting coyote' sightings.. TheY've become verycomfort able: 'around. l uans'.said Mar- " sba Wyatt supervisor:, of field seHvices'•at tl.'ie Pomona .Valley. ` man Society:: `.:. ;•Soinetimes too- comfortable. • earlier this spriiig;;:a sick, • • `maliourisfi d coyote bit a.chiid in :San Dim s, said :Wyatt, .. --ncy:ha dies:wildlife • ;; several; foothills • com- Officets hunted down, the. stimaL Park rangers said atfive.coyotes ve: been',: captured`.and •killed iceone;of.,tfiem:attacked a er. last: week during, a fami- ,..picnic: Tlie giri'•wastreated . ; or minor -wounds and released • R hgers�beheve single fanu of •`urban'ized",coyote, •1rc ;ponsible for the,ndattackon toe. • 5-monthold girl, a they are worried more coyotes are:learn- •bad habits `that are. tunan; Visitors. . ie heavy :rams :of the last • owed the plant life :m . fire 'Angeles. National Forest to flourish, igniting a chain redo- • bon brut means' more of the •an- • u�a1s :that feed on those plants ntd'mo ators. drat . on sually, it s not a problem, dine officials say Healthy coyotes are, ut a word, c•oward-. • 3ut=`sick 'ones ,'•.'StaifFfile photo by GREG::ANDERSEN A COYOTE can be seen>near: the: road below RyanMountain :in Joshua Tree. Na- tional Monument, The.:'animals have been .causing some problems locally. • treated kindly by -people . will roam back yards; invade.garag- " es; attack pets, and scrounge : through garbage' cans mach, of the time, • as w most wildlife,. tliey'rer e$r dowout of the hats for" n' some- • thing: they find;attractive that:: people :don't think about dishes 'of fief food, for example. But, eradication isn'talways • the •answer.. Wyattrecalls an cadent• ,that happened .years ago ' in a tOothfil. town where 'anew . development -went up .The new residents; :unaccustomed to the • presence of the wily critters,: had rthem" all exterminated • Now; she •says, residents' com- plaui: constantly; about rabbits .. •' • • "Maybe they heed a few coy" • otes.:up there,". Wyatt chuckled. . . -.City News Service wntribut- :. ed: to;ahis story.:. . UVING WITH COYOTES • Coyotes are garbage -can bandits, Humane Society officials say:'Here •• • are •stirr Ups on llving with' these'.wilo neighbors:; • If. you encounter a coyote, shout, scream or make •any kind of.: loud noise.. Coyotes' are" not normally. aggressive toward. humans. f• Since coyotes like meat'and"fish dishes, be sure to fasten-: gar- • bage-can lids tightly. Coyotes': also will .eat oats, . vegetables .:and fruits. " II Be sure:4o pick up�your.pets'.dishes if you feed.them outdoors, or better yet, feed them . inside or in an enclosed area. • • ■,Keep your pets; especially. cats, inside at 'night ▪ Erect fences, :or , walls, ,where possible. They, should : be high eiiuugj i to keep , this • larger canine away and out of your backyard. ■ Clear away. bushes and dense'weeds where, rodents; reptiles and.. . insects dwell: The • greater part of a coyote's diet consists' of these critters, so keeping them away and off your property, will help keep the coyote at bay; too. : • ■, If you_ spot :a coyote..or. other wild. animal that looks ill,, don't . touch it or tryto: capture it .- call your local animal control.agency.. Souse• Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, : Calif. WaliAppaa 91'ce h g e ir,a 4 P.O. Box 2025 Hollywood, CA 90028 HOW TO CO EXIS ' WITH COYOTES DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HILLSIDE RESIDENTS (213) 243-0131 Hillside housing developments have been built on wildlife habitat which has displaced a great number of wild creatures. Some urbanites wishing to live close to nature choose to line in the hills and have accepted the natural setting. However, others are determined to change their environment to suit their own individual needs and want to rid the hills of native wildlife. This invariably has created a conflict. To those who love wild animals and to those who dislike them, the best advice is to ' leave them alone. Coyotes are nature's exterminators and have a useful function in the eco- system. They keep the hills clean of carrion and rodents. If it was not for predators we would be overrun with rats, mice, gophers and rabbits. Large predators such as wolves and coyotes have been maligned, persecuted and ex- terminated in large numbers. This has caused a dramatic increase in unwanted rodent populations everywhere which has reached epidemic proportions. For this reason a healthy coyote population in the hills is desirable. Besides being useful, wildlife has an aesthetic value. It is refreshing to have a touch of wilderness in a metropolitan area such as Los Angeles. Do not fear coyotes, they will not attack humans unless threatened or pro- voked. Contrary to general belief, there were no rabid coyotes in this area for many years. If some simple rules are observed,coexistence with wildlife could became a reality. Those who live in coyote country should: * Keep pets in fenced -in backyards. * Never allow pets to run free. It is . a fallacy that cats are outdoor creatures. They make better pets if kept indoors. * Free -roam domestic dogs, joined by feral dogs, forming packs, are de- �� g� g� structive. Theikili small pets and wild animals and attack people. They also breed with,coyotes and the hybrids are more aggressive than coyotes r`ai d and are unaf .of man. For these reasons keep your dogs under control at all times. Never feed wild animals. The regular feeding of wild creatures will entice an excess number of animals into the area while others, who dislike them, will alert the animal control agencies and the animals will be eventually destroyed. These well-meaning but uninformed individuals who lure the animals into the area have created the existing problems. * Do not try to tame wild creatures or treat them as if they were domestic animals. It takes many years of study to understand their behavior patterns. * Never leave pet dishes in backyards. The animals will develop a taste for pet food and will return regularly looking for an easy meal. The lids of trash cans mast be secured and placed in an enclosed area. If this is not possible, ammonia should be poared over the garbage (just a few drops) which wil repel wild animals and dogs. * Coyote -proof fencing is most effective for the security of small pets and for the peace of mind of pet owners. The reason that coyotes in this area are gradually losing the natural fear of man is due to the fact that they ha -:e been fed regularly. It 13 unnatural and bad for the animals and also creates problems for humans. In all other areas coyotes are afraid of humans. The Los Angeles coyotes are known for having been "programmed" not to be afraid of humans. This is why they are being seen in the daytime in residential areas. For this the people, who cre- ated this abnormal situation, shall be blamed and not the coyotes. HOW TO "DEPROGRAM" COYOTES In order to undo the harm and to re-establish a normal situation, coyotes have to be "deprogrammed." This can be accwrmylished by making them again afraid of humans which will save their lives in the long run. Loud noises scare animals. Whenever they come too close to populated areas they should be frightened away by: Banging on kitchen pots. Blowing whistles. Using rattles or any other noise -makers. Shouting at them loudly. The above -mentioned methods will be effective in keeping coyotes away from backyards. This should be kept up each time they are visible until they will stop coming too close to residential areas. Coyotes are very smart and after a while they will get the message that they are not welcome. Only a combined effort and cooperation will assure the success of this program. If only one person on a street will continue feeding the ani-^Ais .or leave pet food outdoors, the scheme will not work. Cooperation with neighbors is essential. It would be advisable to set up a neighborhood committee and meet once a month to discuss the problems and the progress of this program. If the above -mentioned suggestions are observed coexistence with wildlife is possible. For questions or unusual problems contact us and we will do our. best to help. To keep animals in their natural habitat wildlife drinking station has been installed in Glendale, California through the efforts of California Wildlife Defenders. This material has been based on earlier publication "?row to Coexist with Wildlife in Urban Communities." Copyright, 1975 California Wildlife i_fe Defenders, 1978 April 5, 19S2 COYOTE PROFILE Walter E. Howard Wildlife and Fisheries Biology University of California Davis, California 95616 Coyotes have high genetic plasticity and environmental adaptability. 0.0400 Individual coyotes vary considerably; for example, some adults weigh twice as much as other healthy, well-fed coyotes in the same locality. They adapt to many kinds of man -modified environments.. comqp Some have learned to live with man as a commensal predator, e.g., Los Angeles. Coyotes have greatly extended their geographic range during the last century from western United States to all 48 states, Canada, Alaska, and south to Costa Rica. The diet of coyotes is highly variable, but coyotes are an effective predator and in many situations readily kill cats, dogs, deer, livestock, and other large prey. The fecundity of a coyote population will usually be low when the coyote population is high or its food base is low, but their reproductive success is likely to be high if the coyote population is not dense and its prey base is high. Unlike wolves, coyotes usually are solitary or family -group hunters. There seems to be a reverse relationship between population density of coyotes with that of foxes and bobcats. Coyote populations are regulated more by the annual population density of their prey than the reverse. Their mode of attacking the throat.of sheep is an innate, not _learned, behavior. Coyote control is not needed in "natural" environments, but it may be called for in situations where man'has created conditions that enable coyotes to be highly successful and to prosper. Congress first appropriated funds in 1915 to control coyotes because of rabies and to protect livestock. One reason the coyote is often such a pest is because he can adapt so well to man -altered environments. Coyotes kill and eat livestock in a very inhumane way. Our research has shown that it took coyotes an average of.13 minutes to kill sheep after they attacked them in the throat, and that they often ate the entrails before the sheep were dead. 2 When a Barbados raw was purchased by the University- of California to see if more self-defense of coyotes could be bred into the sheep at the Hopland Field Station, an injured "tam`" coyote escaped. and the only sheep it killed that night was the Barbados ram.(End of breeding project:) It is easy to verify coyote kills of sheep by the characteristic puncture wounds 'and evidence of hemorrhaging present on.the neck of the dead sheep. Host coyotes cannot be successful conditioned (aversive conditioning) so they will not'kill sheep (or other species) by using lithium chloride. Regardless of the degree of conditioning coyotes have received against the killing of certain prey species, or even odor -labeled individual prey, they may get into a killing frenzy (overkill) and.then accept the inevitable "punishment" by con- tinuing to kill treated prey. No one. method of controlling coyotes is satisfactory in all situations. Coyotes cannot be successfully trapped in large, dog live -traps, and they can detect the smell of steel of buried traps. The -only way of preventing large numbers of coyotes from dying naturally or from being killed each year is to artificially keep their numbers at very lok° levels (prophylactic control). It is more humane and environmentally .desirable to use prophylactic techniques and keep coyotes at low numbers in those localities where they cannot be tolerated for other reasons rather than to let them increase only to then be periodically killed. Coyote control incorporates IPM (integrated pest management goals), for lethal methods are used only as a last resort. Unfortunately, the most effective "biological control" method against coyotes is to eliminate rodents and rabbits, It is true that quite a few coyotes can be poisoned or otherwise removed without affecting the overall coyote population density, yet at the same time such control may greatly reduce the,predation losses of livestock. Since coyotes are high up on the food -web pyramid, they are not very significant ecologically. .The primary producers and first layer of consumers are the key to adequate recycling of resources in the environment. With widely spaced 1080 bait stations, overall kit fox populations were shown to increase. Ten- ighty kills coyotes far more humanely. than nature does. Many, of the charges about the killing of nontarget species when poisoning coyotes ,with 1080 are biological impossibilities, even if the objective was to poison , these other species. Compound 1080 is not an "indiscriminate" toxicant that "concentrates" in the food chain like DDT, but rather it is the most selective predacide for coyote control available. OYOTE ALERT Orange County is undergoing extensive urban development. This has brought about some undesirable encounters with animals other than our domestic dogs and cats. One of the most reported incidents concerns sighting of coyotes. A brief overview of this highly adaptable creature follows for your information. Coyotes range from Central America to the Arctic. Almost every state in the U.S.A., every province in Canada, and all of Mexico is the home range for this truly unique creature. In form and size, coyotes resemble a small Collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle and bushy tail. Coloration of the animal may vary from light grey to nearly black to red or nearly white. Most active at night or during early morning hours, their good eyesight and keen sense of smell are of great value in locating food sources, such as small live animals, carrion, fruits, garbage or pet foods. These suggestions may help if you have a present problem with coyotes or may be of benefit in the prevention of problems. DO • Feed pets indoors or promptly remove food dishes when pets have completed their outdoor feeding. • Store bags of commercial pet food indoors. • Clear brush and dense weeds from around the area. • Fence your yard to keep out unwanted animals. • Put trash in strong barrels with tight lids. DON'T • Feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. • Use plastic bags as trash containers. • Put trash out the night before pick-up, but rather on the scheduled day of service, at the latest chance. • Allow small domestic pets to run at large at any time. They are an easy prey for coyotes. Orange County Animal Control will respond to complaints about coyotes which have become a threat to humans or are observed during daylight hours. Due to the nature and characteristics of the coyote, the responding animal control officer will make the determination of what techniques or methods may be utilized in repelling the animal. The officer will also educate residents in steps that may be helpful in preventing future problems. The trapping of coyotes has been found controversial and "not effective" in solving the urban coyote problem. Orange County Animal Control will not trap coyotes unless one is found to be involved in a bite to a human. REMEMBER: Treat the coyote as you would any wild animal, do not attempt to capture, feed, or make "friends" with it. If you observe any coyote attacking a pet or observe any person coaxing an animal nto oteir vehicle or possession, get a description of the person and/or vehicle and call 911, your local police r the Orange County Animal Control. For service please contact Orange County Animal Control at 935-7419 Protect Children Although rare, coyote attacks have seriously injured young .children. Never leave small children unattendedin areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even iniyour yard. f'�rtect Pets and:Livestock • 'K,eep small pets., .such as cats, rabbits and' small dogs, incoors..Don't.allow them to run free at any ame. They are easy, favored prey. Sorre coyotes seek cats in residential areas.. Large dogs, should :be brought inside after dark, and never be allowed to run loose. • Rabbit hutches should have a solid bottom. A hutch standing above ground, with on:' a wire bottom, makes your rabbit an easy mark. • When building a chicken coop, dig .a ore -foot trench arojnd its perimeter. Ex -end the chicken wire fence well into the tench, then bury.it: Use Negative. Reinforcement If ccyotes begin ;Frequenting your neignbcrhood, let them know they're not welcome. Make loud .noises, throw rocks, . or spray them witha garden hose. For everyone's safety, i; is essential that coyotes retain their natural._wariness of humans, If;Coy.�te. problems persist, con:tact.your ;Jocal,city government or county • a icAtural commissioner for assistance. . Report.Threats and Attacks Immediately If you see a coyote behaving aggressively or attacking people, contact the nearest office • of the California Department of Fish and Game during regular business hours: Mon- day through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If an .encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call the Department of Fish and Game's 24 -hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The Department will take appropriate action. California Department of Fish & Game Offices Northern California (530) 225-2300 Sacramento Valley/Central Sierra Nevada (.916) 358-2900 Central Coast (707) 944-5500 San Joaquin Valley/Southern Sierra Nevada (209) 222-3761 Southern California (310) 590-5132 Eastern Sierra (619) 872-1 1 71 Living With California Coyotes California Department of Fish & Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, California 95814 Obser-:;ririu ' i; f .: many hnrrefits ^f i' 'r-4' ' ..Ml habitat, experienr-f.!.:c<Tir �; • r unp:tea§ate a.r. When wel..rr,ps : r ,. When -febi by peapl ; unnaturally, 'bold'ar d'the betweerT Coyotes. and .peOpfe ' v{iirifr' n t;P often;:ends.%n $fatesharry- ,ore x r y• to people or the co: ,otes The:'oyote ,(Cartis fatrirasr of the .ddg family, is -natlyebj.Ca lr ,r -O<; closely'resernbles,‘ shepherddog `ong srdui: . : he co otes; lttcIt !', _Vapptg Ca.n'-freg rrt{�, . z�n�ote� are ie�:trerr�e�y '��4 can s�rrvive on vviPatev , E elp Keep Coyotes Wild We can reduce conflicts with coyotes by ensuring that they remain cautious of humans. Practice these safety guidelines and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Never Feed a Coyote Deliberately feeding coyotes.puts you, your pets and your neighbors at risk. Some communities have ordinances that ban feeding of coyotes or other wildlife. You may be inadvertently feeding coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage where they can get to it. Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes when pets finish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors. Use trash cans with lids that clamp shut, which will prevent spilling if the cans are tipped over. If you leave garbage outside, don't use trash bags as garbage containers; coyotes can easily rip them 'open and scatter the contents. Put trash containers out the morning of the scheduled pick-up, rather than the night before. This will give the coyote less time to scavenge. Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings to reduce protective cover for coyotes and make the are less attractive to rodents. Coyotes and other predators may be attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, such as wood and brush piles and seed storage areas. • THE COYOTE Some people know him as the Prairie Wolf, but he's smaller than a Iwo , we ghing be- tw_ - and 30 pounds. He's a greyish, tawny broom in color, an often ha a black tip on hi .•1 which, in a healthy animal, is round and bush, He 1. -s in nearly e y part of California, from the loin eserts to the hi. est mount_' ranges. He can ist on almost any kind of ff od from rodents to r bbish, from ins; ct s to fruit to carrio He and his mate may/ pair for life, maant- • g and defending - particular territory. Sc-nt a ks..are_1eft at various places to am other coyotes that area is occupied. Within each pair's territory there are ely, to be one or more dens and places where sur4lus food, if any, is cached. His den maybe one the coyote digs f.- himself or a natural hole he adapts to his own needs. Mark Twain called hi the most friendless of God's creatures. Today his principal enemy is civilization. As housing developments, shop ping centers and dustrial com- plexes spread, nature's •alance is. disturbed, the food chain is affec ed, and animals are forced to move or a•apt. The coyote has done both. But he has survived by being one of the most adaptiv:• creatures on earth. As-thiznan bes encroae • : Jis territory t oyote moved away. When ;p18 ad- vanced again, the coyote re eated again. Today, with the exception of theqiVho. in- _____ habit the desert, the co •te s no place to go. He's become more and mo4: customed to the sight of humans._ f 1..i d, half tame, he may not welcome our cony, but he's less timid than he once re siddts" win that coyo s can fre- uent be• seea._at... mid • • y, and J are of intimidated by houts or physical th ats. /,. Part of the blame 4th±s co ti ust be born by those humane individu s who, out of a mis • feeling o pity, have fed Ztd animals. Though they meant td be kind they have,/ in fact, crea d a dai rays -dependency, "bri nai n cgY-0.tesant�f.oathi l' neighborhoods • search of pet foody -livestock feed, .and even small pets. Since.,_.by-nature, he prefers to live and hunt in the wild, sticking to a diet of rodents and other small animals, the coyote may once again learn to keep his distance. It would not be possible to destroy the entire coyote population. It 5.s imperative- that we find ways to coexist with these animals and minimize the problems.this situation creates. IF YOU LIVE IW -00ME _TERRITORY, PROTECT YOUR: CHILDREN. Unless he's cornered, a coyote is unlikely to attack a human. However, small children have, in rare instances, been attacked. They should be under the watch- ful eye of an adult at all times. SMALL PETS.. Cats and small dogs should be kept indoors both day and night. LARGE PEPS. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark. A dog in heat will attract coyotes. They may jump the fence to reach her. Your male dog, normally well-behaved, may jump or dig his way out of your yard to join a coyote pack at night. Spaying a female and neutering .a male frill eliminate a great part of this problem. Even so, they should be indoors at night to prevent possible territorial dispute ri-tk--coyotes and other dogs. Fl2T.LTRY) . To prevent a coyote from digging under the chicken coop: Attach chicken wire to the bottom of the fence. Run it out a foot or more, parallel to the ground, securing it well; or bury cinder blocks directly under the fence, all the way around the coop. RABBTTS,..-Outfit .a rabbit hutch with a solid bottom, possibly with a sliding tray for easy cleaning. A hutch standing above ground, with only a wive -bottom, makes your rabbit an easy mark for a coyote. :ALIT. ENCLOOED�PETS . AID LNESTOCK.- To. prevent a coyote from scaling a fence tenders to the top of fence posts. .(Extenders can be purchased from fence Run two or three strands of wire., extending iak. at -an -angle, for -ahaut 14 the way around the fence. SOME ADDITIONAL DOs and DON'Ts DO feed pets indoors DO cover trash cans tightly. attach ex - dealers.). larhe-S, all DON'T store pet food or food of any land outside.. Keep it in..a closed garage or storage building. DON'T feed coyotes or any wild animals. Los Angeles County Department of.Aninal Care and Control United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control MANAGING URBAN/SUBURBAN COYOTE PROBLEMS Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found throughout most of California. The California Department of Fish and Game estimates a population range of 250,000 to 750,000 individuals. Coyotes are very adaptable and inhabit most areas of the state with the exception of the centers of major metropolitan areas. They are medium sized animals belonging to the dog family. Most adults weigh between 22 to 25 pounds on the average, with males being the larger sex. With large erect ears, slender muzzle, and bushy tail they resemble a small collie dog. In the hotter . drier regions of California, coyotes are tan -brown in color with streaks of gray. In the more mountainous or humid areas the color is darker with less brown. In the winter the coats become quite dense, especially in the colder areas. The voice of the coyote is quite distinctive, consisting of various howls, high-pitched yaps, and occasional dog lilte barks. Coyotes are proficient predators, possessing the speed, strength, and endurance necessary to tackle prey as large as adult deer. BIOLOGY In California, coyotes breed mainly during January, February, and March. The gestation period is about 60-63 days. Young are born March through May, with litter sizes averaging 5-6 pups. Coyotes produce one litter per year. The young are weaned at 5 to 6 weeks and leave the parents at 6 to 9 months. Most adults breed first in their second year. Nonbreeding, yearling, coyotes often stay with the adult parents and help care for the pups. Coyote dens are found in steep banks, rock crevices, sinkholes, and underbrush. Coyote dens are often holes that have been used by badger, skunks, foxes, or other animals with entrances enlarged to about one foot in diameter. Dens vary from 4 to 5 feet deep to 50 feet deep. The diet of the coyote consists mainly of mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and carrion. They also eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, birds and their eggs; and deer fawns. In some rural areas of California they prey heavily on sheep, cattle, and poultry. In urban and suburban areas, garbage, domestic cats and dogs, other pets, hobby animals, and pet food can be important food items. Coyotes are most active at night. and during the early morning and late evening hours. In areas where they are not disturbed by human activities, and during the cooler times of the year, they may be active throughout the day. Urban coyotes are becoming very tolerant of human activities. Young coyotes tend to be more active during daylight hours than adults. Home range size varies depending on food availability. DAMAGE • Coyotes can cause substantial damage. In rural areas they oftentimes kill sheep, calves, and poultry. In some parts of the state they cause damage to drip irrigation systems by biting holes in the pipe. In other areas they cause considerable damage to watermelons, citrus fruits, and avocados. Aircraft safety is often jeopardized when . coyotes take up residence on or near runways. Coyotes have also been known to prey on various endangered/threatened species including the San Joaquin kit fox and the California •least tern. In urban and suburban areas, coyotes commonly take domestic house cats, small dogs, poultry, and other domestic animals. Coyotes have been known to attack humans, and in one case, a three -year -old girl was killed by a coyote in southern California. DISEASE Distemper and canine hepatitis are among the most common diseases of coyotes. Rabies and tularemia also occur and may be transmitted to humans and other animals. Coyotes often carry parasites including mites, ticks, fleas, worms, and flukes. Mites which cause Sarcoptic mange are an important ectoparasite of coyotes. Heartworm is one of the most important endoparasites in California's coyote population. This parasite can be transmitted to domestic dogs by mosquitoes. PROBLEM PREVENTION Coyotes are attracted to urban/suburban areas by the easy accessibility of food, water, and shelter. Reducing or eliminating the availability of these elements will often encourage coyotes to leave. Garbage can lids should be secured at all times or garbage stored indoors. Pets should be fed during daylight hours and aU pet food removed before darkness. Water bowls should be emptied and not left out after dark. Ripe fruits and vegetables should be covered at night or the garden/fruit trees enclosed by a coyote proof fence to prevent access by hungry coyotes. All windfall fruit/vegetables should be picked up daily. In areas where predation on pets has been documented, cats and small dogs should not be left out after dark unless enclosed in a coyote proof enclosure. Food should never intentionally be left out for wild mammals. In suburban areas where livestock such as Iambs, piglets, calves, or poultry are raised and coyote predation has been documented, precautions should be taken to prevent further losses. Animals can be brought into barns, sheds, or coyote proof enclosures at night, or in certain instances the confinement areas can be lit at night. To exclude coyotes, fences should be constructed which are at least 5 1/2 feet tall. These can be made of solid wood, cement blocks, brick, or wire. Ifnet•wire fencing is used, the bottom portion should be at least 3 1/2 feet tall with squares smaller than 6 inches. If high tensile fence is used, it should be electrified with a fence charger to prevent coyotes from going through. All. fences should have some sort of galvanized wire apron buried at least 4 to 6 inches in the ground which extends out from the fence at least 15 to.20 inches. The apron should be•securely attached to the bottom of the fence. Coyotes are very adept diggers and prefer to dig under fences rather than jump them. Brush and vegetation should be cleared from backyards and adjacent areas to eliminate habitat for prey which could attract coyotes.- Landscaping should be pruned on a regular basis. These actions also remove hiding cover used by coyotes to stalk domestic pets. If cats cannot be contained indoors, and predation is viewed as a problem, posts can be instaUed in open space areas which provide an escape for the cats. These posts should be at least 7 feet tall, made of material that the cat can climb, and have enough space on top for the cat to sit. During the time of the year when adult coyotes are caring for young (May -September), they can be very aggressive when their young are threatened. Domestic dogs are especially vulnerable to attack during this time. ven dogs on leases have been attacked when they got too close to a family of coyotes. In urban settings where a den site has been identified, caution should.be taken to keep dogs out of the area. These areas should be posted with signs and people concerned about attacks on their dogs should avoid the area. Increased predation on domestic pets can be expected around den sites, and FRONT extra precautions should be taken by residents to protect valued domestic cats or small dogs. In some cases a family group of coyotes can be harassed enough to encourage them to move. Whenever possible, coyotes should be harassed or scared to condition them to avoid humans. DIRECT CONTROL Where coyotes continue to be a problem after non- lethal methods have proven unsuccessful or when human health and safety is jeopardized, it is sometimes necessary to kill one or more animals. Coyotes can be shot where legal and appropriate or captured using a variety of restraining devices. Generally speaking, cage traps are not effective in capturing adult coyotes. LAWS AND REGULATIONS Coyotes are not threatened or endangered in California. They are classified as uongame mammals. by the Department of Fish and Game and as such can be taken at any time using approved methods. Califomia Department of Fish and Game regulations prohibit the relocation of coyotes without written permission from the Department. . For further information on the legal status of coyotes and other wildlife contact your local California Department of Fish and Game Regional Office. For further information or assistance in solving coyote problefas contact the USDA -APHIS -ADC State Office (916-979-2675) or the USDA-APHIS=ADC District Office for your area. HIND TRACKS 02/10/95 y • • • • the song of the little wolf is heard throughout California THE covarm, or "little wolf" as it was called by the Indians, is found throughout all life zones in California from the low deserts and valleys to the crest of the high- est mountains. It has adapted readily to the changes caused by man's occupation of the land and, in recent years, has extended its range into all counties except San Francisco County. At one time biologists listed three subspecies common to California —the mountain, desert and valley coyotes. But the biologists even questioned the purity of these races and suggested that abnormal mixing of populations has occurred in recent times. The coyote is a member of the dog family. In size and shape the coyote is like a medium-sized shepherd dog, but its tail is round and bushy and is carried straight out and below the level of its back. f • • COYOTE LEAFLET Ole itit By George Seymour Conservation Education Consultant California Department of Fish and Game Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys are a grayish tawny brown with a black tip on the tail. At high eleva- tlons and on the east side of the Sierra, their color is more gray and the underparts are nearly white, with some specimens having a white tip on the tail. Coyotes of the higher elevations average a little larger in size than those in the valley. In winter their coats become long and silky, and trappers then hunt them for their fur. The coyote is one of the few wild animals whose voice is commonly heard. Coyotes howl at night —the sound is both a high quavering cry and a crazy, high-pitched yapping. Sometimes, when it is first heard, the listener may experience a tingling of man's fear of primitive danger, but to the seasoned outdoorsman the howl of the coyote is truly a song of the West. Although the coyote usually digs its own den, some - 4 7 times it a ill enlarge an old badger hole or perhaps fix up a natural hole in a rocky ledge to suit its own needs. Dens are usually- hidden from view, but they are fairly easy to locate because of the trails that lead away from the den. .Mother coyote has one litter of three to nine puppies a year. usually in April or May. The gestation period is from 63 to 65 days. While the male does little to support the family, he will bring food fairly close, but the mother does not allow him to come all the way to the den. The pups live in the den and play near the entrance until they are about 10 weeks old. Then the mother starts taking them out hunt- ing in a group. The family gradually disbands, and by fall the pups are usually hunting alone. Some studies have indicated that in the valley and low foothills, coy -ores occupy a range of no more than 10 or 12. square miles. In mountainous areas they probably have both a summer and winter range, as heavy snows drive them to lower elevations. _ The coyote does not hibernate. It travels over its range and hunts both day and night, running swiftly and catch- ing its prey easily. It has a varied diet and seems able to exist on whatever the area offers in the way of food.. The coyote eats meat and fish, either fresh or spoiled, and at times it eats fruits and vegetable matter and has even been known to raid melon patches. Although it has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not live on domestic animals. Food habit studies show that its principal diet is made up of deer, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, in- sects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants. Coyotes have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to survive both in the wild and occasionally in the suburban areas of some of California's largest cities. They are common in most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature few are seen. Efforts to control or exterminate the coyote by predator control agents seem to have produced an 'animal that is extremely alert and wary and xvell able to maintain itself. Coyotes have long been one of the most controversial of all nongame animals. Agricultural interests have urged its control by whatever means necessary so that actual and potential livestock losses may be eliminated. Since 1891, when . the first programs aimed at control Nvere begun in California, nearly- 500,000 coyotes have been re- ported destroyed at a cost of an estimated $30 million of the taxpayers' money. Environmentalists finely believe that the coyotes are necessary to preserve the balance of nature. Some sports- men feel the coyote is responsible for the declines in game species. Biologists agree that individual animals preying on livestock and poultry should be destroyed but that the species as,a whole is not necessarily harmful, because much of its diet is made up of destructive rodents. Biologists also agree that coyote populations have no lasting effects on other wildlife populations: So the controversy rages on. Coyotes have recently been classified as nongame ani- mals in California and may be taken throughout the year under the authority of a hunting license. Meanwhile, despite the constant hunting and intensive efforts to re- duce the coyote population, on a quiet night the song of the "little wolf" may still be heard in most parts of California.# Prepared by George Seymour, California Department of Fish and Game. This utidt is one of a series printed by the Department of Flub and Game. Single -sheet reprints may be obtained hod- the department, 1416 Ninth Street. Sacramento 95814. Bulk Quantities may be purchased from Documents Section, I.O. Boa 20191. Sacramento 95820. for the following piles: 100 et more. $2 pa hundred; 1.000 or more, 51.90 . per hundred; 5,000 or more. 51.75 per hundred (California residents add 5 percent sales tax). 084666-600 4-73 :OM Coping With The Urban Coyote The coyote. a native member of the dog family, closely resembles a medium sized German Shepard dog. However. its distinguishing marks - an elongated snout and bushy, black -tipped tail set it apart from the family pet. The animal Mark Twain called "the most friendless of God's creatures" is also the most adaptable. The coyote can survive on whatever food is available. from rodents to rubbish. from insects to fruit to carrion. Coyotes living in urban hillside or popluated rural areas such as Walnut have developed an uncharacteristic boldness due. to the food sources available from free -roaming pets. pet food and garbage. Because of the interesting menu available, such as cat and dog food and a variety of edible rubbish. the highly adaptable coyote can flourish in popluated areas. When lured by abundant food sources provided by people, the coyote becomes accustomed to the sight and sound of humans, readily adopting residential properties as his territory. To prevent your home from becoming a food source for hungry wildlife, follow the advice of experts: .— Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outside. Store bags of pet food indoors. — Clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protection cover for coyotes. Use rodent traps and rodenticides, if needed. — Use trash barrels equipped with tight clamping devices on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be tipped over by a large animal. — Don't feed or provide for coyotes or other wildlife. This practice attracts coyotes and rodents, birds, snakes, and other creatures that can provide major portions of the coyote's natural diet. — Don't -put trash cans out the night before scheduled pickup. Put them out in the morning. This will give the coyote less time to scavenge, and he won't have the cover of darkness. — Don't use plastic bags as garbage containers. Coyotes can readily rip them open and scatter the contents. To protect pets. keep small pets (cats, rabbits, small dogs) indoors. Don't allow then to run free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark, and never allowed to run loose. Don't leave domestic pet food outside. Wildlife will soon depend upon it. If you have carefully followed these suggestions, but problems with coyotes continue, please contact City Hall at (714) 595-7543 for further information. 1 WHO IS THE URBAN COYOTE ? William 0. Wirtz, II Department of Biology, Pomona College Claremont, California, 91711 Introduction The coyote, Canis latrans, is the last, common, large predator in North America. Its original ecological role on the western plains was most likely one of a scavenger, feeding on the remains of large animals killed by wolves, and taking small game, insects, and fruit when these kills were not available. During the 16th Century coyotes extended their range into Central America with Spanish livestock, and in the 19th Century they moved into British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska, also with livestock. Coyotes are now present in all 49 continental states, having expanded their range with the extirpation of the timber wolf, Canis lupus, and the red wolf, Canis rufus. There is good evidence to believe that coyotes interbred with timber wolves in the northeast, and with red wolves in the southeast, as the wolves vanished. In the early 1970's, as urbanization of the Los Angeles basin pushed further into the foothills, and eliminated much of the agricul- tural areas in the basin, public concern was expressed concerning the activities of coyotes in urban areas. Media reports of the loss of small pets, and even attacks on children, became frequent. Concern reached its peak in August 1981 when the death of a 3 year old girl in Glendale was attributed to a coyote. Questions raised concerning the' urban coyote included: 1) what are population densities in urban areas, 2) what sort of movement patterns are exhibited by these animals, 3) what is the diet of urban animals, and how serious a threat are they to pets, 4) what types of individuals are involved in attacks on humans, and 5) are some of these urban animals coyote -dog hybrids (coydogs)? While there are hundreds of references on coyotes in the scientific literature (c.f. Bekoff 1974, 1978), most of the ecological work on the species deals with interactions with livestock in the ranching states and provinces of western North America, and virtually no work has been done on coyotes in urban areas. I began studies in 1974 on predator populations in the San Dimas Experimental Forest, 45 km east of Los Angeles in Angeles National Forest, to determine the species composition and density of predators in chaparral and the nature of their diet. In late 1981 research was begun in the city of Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles, to determine the characteristics of coyote populations in that city, the extent of movements of animals coming into the city, and the nature of their diet. This research was funded by the City of Claremont and the Humane Society of Pomona Valley, Inc. These studies continued through June 1984. 1/ Presented at the Symposium on Urban Ecology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California, on 28 May 1985. Following the death in Glendale, carcasses of some animals killed in control activities were made available to my lab, as were carcasses of animals killed on highways. This paper summarizes some of this research. Methods and Materials Thirty-nine coyote carcasses were made available for autopsy between December 1981 and June 1984, 20 from the Glendale/Pasadena area and 19 from the Claremont area and the western edge of San Bernardino County. .Stomach contents of all animals were analyzed, and skulls were cleaned and measured to determine if any were coyote -dog hybrids. Some data were also available for 82 coyotes taken in control activities in the Glendale area between September 1981 and April 1982. The diet of urban coyotes in Claremont was determined by the analysis of 892 scats collected from the 25.5 ha Bernard Field Station of. the Claremont Colleges, an area of relatively undisturbed coastal sage scrub community surrounded by urban development, between September 1981 and June 1984. At least 8 different individuals used the Field Station during this period. Analysis of a sample of 80 scats taken in 1976 from the foothill -urban ecotone of northern Claremont is also reported here. All data are presented as frequency of occurrence. Because a single scat frequently contains more than one item, percent frequency of occurrence for all items adds up to more than 100. The diet of wild coyotes (rural) in the chaparral community of Southern California was determined by the analysis of 1097 scats collected from a.780 ha area of the San Dimas Experimental Forest between October 1974 and December 1979. The collection area was about 24 km northwest of Claremont. A11 data are presented as frequency of occurrence. Four adult coyotes, three males and a female, were trapped on the Bernard Field Station and fitted with radio -transmitters. Their move- ments were followed until December 1984, when only one animal remained in the area. The female produced litters of two each in 1982 and 1983; the young were ear -tagged but not radio -collared. Results Address records for 45 of the 82 coyotes taken in control activities in the Glendale area show all were taken in urban areas surrounded by chaparral -covered. hills. Hollywell Place, where the child was killed, and where 14 coyotes were taken, is 0.9 km from a leaking water storage tank, which is presumed to provide water for wildlife, and 1.02 km from a sanitary land fill, which, although covered each day, may be providing food for coyotes. Three other streets are within 0.5 km of the water tank, and lesser numbers of coyotes, were taken there. The sex ratio of 70 animals killed was exactly equal. Mean weight of males was 12.67 kg (27.94 lb). Mean weight of females was 9.02 kg (19.88 lb). Mean weight for all urban coyotes was 10.79 kg (23.8 lb). For comparison, the mean weight of 446 males "from New Mexico was 11.07 kg (24.4 lb), and the mean weight of 383 females from New Mexico was 10.07 kg (22.2 lb) (Van Wormer 1964). None of the animals autopsied by my lab was a coyote -dog hybrid. Food habits data for wild coyotes in the chaparral community of the San Dimas Experimental Forest (SDEF) and urban coyotes in Claremont and the Glendale/Pasadena area are summarized in Table 1. All data are pre- sented as percent frequency of occurrence. Wild coyotes fed primarily. on meadow vole, Microtus californicus, wood rat, Neotoma fuscipes and Neotoma lepida, fruit of native plants such as manzanita"and toyon, mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, insects, reptiles - including both lizards and snakes, and rabbits, Sylvilagus auduboni, in order of decreasing abundance. Coyotes in Claremont (1981-83), based on scat analysis, fed on rabbit, domestic fruit, wild fruit, insects, wild birds, Jerusalem cricket, Stenopelmatus, and meadow vole, in order of decreasing'abundance. The scats collected in Claremont in 1976 contained, in order of decreasing abundance, wild and domestic fruit, wood rat, insects, rabbit, Botta pocket gopher, Thomomys bottae, Beechey ground.squirrel, Spermophilus beechegi, and meadow vole. .Nearly 79 percent of the diet of coyotes in the Glendale/Pasadena area was garbage, based on stomach analysis. Other common items were rabbit, wild birds, house cat, and meadow vole. Seasonal frequency of food items is similar for coyotes in the chaparral and in Claremont (1981-83), especially for fruit (Fig. 1), insects (Fig. 2), and reptiles (Fig. 3). These similarities probably reflect availability. Seasonal frequency is also similar for wood rat (Fig. 4) and meadow vole (Fig. 5), but both of these rodents are much more important in the diet of wild coyotes. Utilization of rabbits is much heavier in Claremont than in chaparral (Fig. 6), and wild birds are also taken more frequently by coyotes in Claremont than in the chaparral (Fig. 7). Pocket gophers and Beechey ground squirrels are not commonly taken by coyotes in this area. The summer peak of utilization of ground squirrels in Claremont reflects their abundance on vacant lots at this time (Fig. 8). Pets and garbage were rarely taken by the wild population studied. Their utilization by Claremont coyotes was low and irregular, with more pets being taken in January and summer, and more garbage in fall and winter (Fig. 9). An adult male coyote was captured in the foothill -urban ecotone of northern Claremont on 4 December 1981. It stayed near the capture site for two weeks, then moved 15 km northwest into Angeles National Forest. It remained in the National Forest for nearly a year, but was retrapped on the Bernard Field Station on 18 December 1982. When released it returned north into the National Forest, and was never again recorded in Claremont. A parous female was captured on the Bernard Field Station on 14 February 1982. She stayed within a 3.13 square km area for the next 22 months, raised litters of two pups each in 1982 and 1983, and whs found dead of unknown causes on this home range in December 1983. Adult males, weighing 8.3 and 10.88 kg, respectively, were trapped on the - 4 '- Bernard Field:Station on 20 and 21, November 1983. .Both animals shifted their range.5;km northeast, of tthes FieldStationby.February:1984, and remained there thioughout the summer By December 1984. `the larger animal was still °in `thie•:`area, : but the:smaller one :could not be located. The . smaller animal was killed -by a _ professional trapper 16 km east of Clare- mont in January 1985.. Discussion '-Information is still lacking concerning the density of coyotes in urban areas of Southern California. Only long-term mark and release studies, or extensive use of scent or tracking stations will provide this information.. Limited radio -telemetry data from Claremont suggest that two types of individuals may be found in cities. One type, exemplified by the female in Claremont, may live its entire life, and breed success- fully, within city limits. The second type, exemplified by the three males in Claremont, may wander widely between chaparral -covered hills and urban areas, and could, conceivably, also wander between cities. Whether the two types represent sexual differences cannot be ascertained. from the small Claremont study. Coyotes in the Glendale/Pasadena area seem to rely heavily on garbage, while those in Claremont take chiefly natural foods from vacant_ lots, with the exception of domestic fruit. The difference may be d-ue ' to different city sanitation policies. Claremont has always had back yard trash pickup and encouraged citizens to keep cans in garages except on pickup days. More recently; Claremont has converted largely to 55 gallon containers on wheels., with permanently attached hinged lids, which I believe are much more difficult for dogs or coyotes to dump than conventional trash. cans.. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the.prob•- lems attributed to urban coyotes in some cities. Coyotes will. certainly take small pets if available. They do not appear to seek them out over natural foods in Claremont. Confining pets, especially in areas of high coyote concentration, may alleviate this problem, though control may be necessary in'some areas. There is, at present, no evidence that coyote -dog hybrids make up part of the urban coyote population in Southern California. The matter of attacks on humans is much more difficult to assess, and I do not know of any effort to carefully evaluate the circumstances of each attack that is documented. There is considerable anecdotal information concerning the intentional feeding of coyotes (c.f. Los Angeles Times, 19 August 1980). One "tame" coyote received by me for research use;was deemed far too dangerous to be released. This animal would clearly have attacked humans if released. We do not know if other animals of such disposition have been released. The attack on a girl in La Verne on 22 August 1979 was by a crippled male that was fed daily by residents in the area. -5 - The great diversity of coyote diets in North America is well -docu- mented (c.f. Bekoff 1974, Ferrel et al. 1953, Hawthorne 1972, Sperry 1941). Coyotes in some urban areas of Southern California seem to rely heavily on garbage, but exist largely on natural foods in others. Coyotes. will continue to use urban areas if food resources are available. The incidence of intentional feeding in urban areas is not known, though most foothill communities now have ordinances prohibiting this. At least some attacks on humans have been by animals acclimated to humans through intentional feeding or -other association. There is no information on the release of partially tame animals in Southern California. Coyotes may move regularly between foothills and urban areas. No information is yet available concerning the population dynamics of urban coyotes. There is much yet to be learned about this exceptional native predator. Acknowledgements Research in the San Dimas Experimental Forest was supported by a grant from the U. S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and ,Range Experiment Station. Urban studies in Claremont were supported by grants from the City of Claremont and the Humane Society of Pomona Valley, Inc. Faculty Research Grants from Pomona College helped support both studies. Many'students have assisted with these studies, including Roland L. Redmond, Sharon L. Booth, Margaret A. Keller, William G. Meikle, and. Sherrie L. Souza. Art work is by Helen Wirtz. Literature Cited Bekoff, M. 1974. A general bibliography on the coyote, Canis latrans. ' The Coymar Press, Boulder, CO, 26 pp. Bekoff, M. (ed.) 1978. Coyotes Biology, Behavior, and Management. Academic Press, New York, NY, 384• pp. Ferrel, C.M., H.R. Leach, and°D.F. Tillotson. 1953. Food habits of the 'coyote in California. Calif. Fish and Game, 39:101-341. Hawthorne, V.M. 1972. Coyote food habits in Sagehen Creek Basin, northeastern California. Calif. Fish and Game, 58:4-12. Sperry, C.C. 1941. Food habits of the coyote. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Ser., Res. Bull. 4:1-70. Van Wormer, J. 1964. The world of the coyote. J. B. Lippincott Co., New York, NY, 150 pp. - 6 - Table 1: Food habits of rural (SDEF) and urban coyotes in Southern California, percent frequency of occurrence. SDEF • Claremont Glendale 74-79 76 81-83 81-83 PERCENT FREQUENCY Rabbit Beechey Ground Squirrel Botta Pocket Gopher Wood Rat California Vole House Cat Mule Deer Unident. Small Mamm. Bird Reptile Insect Jerusalem Cricket Fruit, Wild Domestic Garbage Figure 1: .4 .2 FREOUENCY OF FRUIT IN SCATS 10.40 2.10 .64 32.36 40.75 .27 17.50 14.90 8.39 10.94 14.01 6.11 28.90 1.28 urban coyote (wild fruit) urban coyote (domestic fruit) rural coyote (wild fruit) J F M A M J J A S O N O MONTHS .4 14.0 11.0 12.5 32.5 10.0 19.0 42.5 51.7 3.7 2.5 5.3 13.3 7.1 26.32 5.26 5.26 10.52 21.05 i 5.9 15.79' 18.1 21.05 3.4 5.26 21.3 5.26 13.7 5.26 23.1 5.26 24.5 5.26 5.5 • 78.95 i Figure 2: FREOUENCY OF INSECTS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote St enopelmatus All Insects J F M A M J J A S O N O MONTHS - 7 - Figure 3: FREQUENCY OF REPTILES IN SCATS > .6 U 2 w O .4 tu cc LL ~ 2 .2 W U o: tu o. J F M A M J J AS 0 MONTHS - urban coyote rural coyote N Figure 4: FREQUENCY OF NEOTOMA IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote - Z U. W U i ••+•• I z W • W tai • 4 4 • Q ,•. LL 2 . tu • ••� 1� 2 2 ur a cc a .2 Figure 5: FREQUENCY OF MICROTUS IN SCATS o Z .6 z 0 cc W .4 u. 2 W tz W a J F M A M J J A. S MONTHS O N D urban coyote rural coyote 4•41/4. J F M .A M J J & 0 N � MONTHS Figure 6: . FREQUENCY OF SYLVILAGUS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote J F MAM J J A S OND MONTHS Figure 7: Figure 9: r U 8, z w 3 a • .4 u. H w .2. U . rr a. T z .2 w J a' w tK U. H z w .2 cr W a FREQUENCY OF BIRDS IN SCATS urban coyote •••» rural coyote J F MAM J J MONTHS Figure 8: FREQUENCY OF POCKET GOPHERS AND GROUND SQUIRRELS IN SCATS urban coyote rural coyote J F MAMJ J A SOM D MONTHS ''Thomomys Spermophilus PERCENT FREQUENCY FREQUENCY IN URBAN COYOTE SCATS Garbage Pets J F MAM J JA SOND MONTHS URBAN COYOTES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: A PROGRESS REPORT William 0. Wirtz, II, Margaret A. Keller, William G. Meikle Department of Biology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711' Presented at 62nd Annual Meeting, American Society of Mammalogists, Snowbird, Utah, 20-24 June 1982. Abstract: Coyote populations are currently being studied in two urban areas of southern California: Glendale, 24 km northeast of Los Angeles, where the death of a 3 year old child in August 1981 was attributed to coyote attack, and Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles. Male coyotes killed in control activities in Glendale average 12.7 kg, females average 9 kg. Stomachs of Glendale animals contain chiefly garbage, with lesser amounts of rabbit, birds, and meadow vole. The diet of Claremont animals, based on scat analysis, consists largely of native and cultivated fruits, rabbit, Jerusalem cricket, cat, birds, wood rat, meadow vole, garbage, other small mammals, and other insects. An earlier (1976) Claremont survey revealed fruit, wood rat, insects, other rodents, rabbit, and birds to be major food items. A male radio -tagged in the foothill -urban ecotone in Claremont remained in the area for two weeks, then moved 15 km north into the National Forest, where it has remained for five months. A female radio -tagged in town has remained -within two square km for four months. Coyotes in Glendale rely heavily on garbage, which may be supporting this urban population. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the problem in that city. Coyotes in Claremont appear to move back and forth between urban and National Forest lands. They appear to be less dependent on a garbage diet. FOOD HABITS OF URBAN COYOTES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA William O. Wirtz, II, Department of Biology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711 To be presented at 63rd Annual Meeting, American Society of Mammalogists Gainesville, Fla., 20-24 June 1983. Abstract: Food habits of urban coyotes have been studied in southern California for 20 months. In Claremont, 68 km east of Los Angeles, a sample of 472 scats collected chiefly from 3 individuals indicates a diet of rabbit (21Z of all foods taken), domestic fruit (14x), wild fruit (12x), insects (11x), and wild birds (10%). Only 2.5% of the diet is garbage, and 3.8% is composed 'of cats. A sample of stomachs from animals killed in control activities centered on Glendale and Pasadena, about 24 km northeast of Los Angeles, indicates a diet composed principally of garbage (37.5X), with lesser amounts of rabbit (12.5X), wild birds (10X), cats (102) and meadow vole (5X). In Claremont, rabbits are a major component of the diet from December through July, and birds are most important from May through October. Insect consumption peaks in July and also in October and November, the latter peak being primarily due to consumption of Jerusalem crickets. Wild fruit is most important in June, August, and December; domestic fruit in September, October and December. Coyotes in. the Glendale/ Pasadena area seem to rely heavily on garbage, while those in Claremont take chiefly natural foods from vacant lots, with the exception of domestic fruit. The difference may be due to different city sanitation policies. Elimination of garbage food sources may be more important than extermination of animals in alleviating the problems attributed to urban coyotes in some cities. • • • the song of the little wolf is heard throughout California Trim co -Yore, or "little wolf" as it was called by the Indians, is found throughout all life zones in California from the_low deserts and valleys to the crest of the high- est mountains. It has adapted readily .to the changes caused by man's occupation of .the land and, in recent years, has extended its range into all counties except San Francisco County. - At one acne biologists listed three subspecies common • to California —the mountain, desert and valley coyotes. 'But the biologists even questioned the purity oYthese races and sugflested. that abnormal mixing of populations has occurred in recent times. The coyote is a member of the dog family. In size and shape the coyote is like a inedium-sued shepherd dog, but its tail is round and bushy and is carried :straight out • and below the level of its back. COYOTE By George Seymour Outdoor California Writer WILDLIFE - LEAFLET Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys •are a grayish tawny brown with a black tip on the tail. At high eleva- nons and on the east side of the Sierra, their color is More gray and the underparts are nearly white, with some specimens having a white tip on the tail..Coyotes of the higher elevations average a little larger in size than those in the valley,. In winter their coats become long and silky, and trappers then hunt them for their fur. The coyote is one of the few wild animals whose voice • is commonly heard. Coyotes how at night —the sound is both a high quavering cry and a crazy, high-pitched yapping. Sometimes, when it is first heard, the listener may experience a tingling of man's fear. of primitive danger, but to the seasoned outdoorsman..the howl of the . coy me truly a song of the West. Although the coyote usually, digs its own den, some- fS ;. .:�lXk times it will enlarge an old 'badger hole or perhaps fix up a naturaI.hole in a rockv ledge to suit its own needs. Dens arc usually hidden from view, but they are fairly easy to locate because of the trails that Icad away from the den. Mother coyote has one litter of three to nuns puppies a year, usually ln April or May. The gestation period is from 63 to 65 days. While the male does little to support the family, he will bring food fairly close, but the mother does not allow him to come all the way to the den. The pups live in the den and play•near the entrance until they are about 10 weeks old. Then the mother starts taking them out hunt- ing in a group. The family gradually disbands, and by fall the pups are usually hunting alone. Some studies have. indicated that in the valley and low foothills, coyotes occupy a •range of no more than 10 or ' 12" square miles. In mountainous areas they: probably 'have both a summer and winter range, • as heavy snows drive them to lower elevations. The coyote does not hibernate. It travels over its range. and hunts both day and night, running swiftly and catch- • ing its prey easily. It has a• varied:. diet .and seems able to exist. on whatever the area offersCixi..the way. of food. The coyote eats meat and fish, either fresh. or spoiled; and at times it •eats fruits and Vegetable- matter and has even been known to raid. melon patches.,:. • Although it .has been observed 'killing- sheep, poultry - and other livestock; it does not live on domestic animals. . Food habit studies show that its principal diet is made up of deer, .rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, in- sects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants. -Coy-ores have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to. survive both in "the wild and occasionally in the suburban. areas . of some of California's largest cities. They are common in • • most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature few are seen. Efforts to control or exterminate the coyote by predator control agents seem to have produced an animal - that is extremely alert and wary and well able to maintain itself. Coyotes have long been one of the most controversial of all -nor line animals_ _Agricu!rural inCcregc have urged its control by whatever means necessary so that actual and potential livestock losses may be eliminated. Since .1891, when the first programs aimed at control were begun in California, nearly 500,000 coyotes have been re- ported destroyed at a cost of an estimated $30 million of the taxpayers' money. - Environmentalists firmly believe that the coyotes are necessary to preserve -the balance of nature. Some sports- men feel the coyote is responsible for the declines in game species. Biologists agree that individual animals preying on livestock and .poultry should be destroyed but that the species as a whole is -.not necessarily.harmful, becausernuch of its diet is. made up of • destructive rodents. Biologists . . . also agree than coyote populations have"•no lasting effects • on other wildlife populations. So the controversy. rages"on. Coyotes have recently been classified as nongame ani- mals, in California and may .be taken throughout the year under "the authority of a hunting license. Meanwhile, despite the constant hunting and intensive efforts to re- duce the coyote population, on a quiet night the song of the "little wolf" may still be heard in most parts of California.$ Prepared by George Seymour, California Department of Fish and Game. This article is oil, of .a series painted by the Department of Fish and Game. Single -sheet reprints may be obtained from the department, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento 95814. Bulk quantities may be purchased from Documents Section, P.O. Box 20192, Sacramento 95820; tar the following prices: 100 or more, S2 per hundred; 1,000 or more, 51.90 per hundred; 5,000 or more, 51.75 per hundred (California residents. add 5percent- sales tax). Reprinted From: rq.crliatitiktas ORDINANCE NO. 81.002tU An ordinance amending She Les Angeles 'County Code relating to Title 10— A NIMALS. declaring !fie urgency thereof and that this Ordinance shall lake immediate effect The Board en S:.pervi sors of the County r.' Los Angeles do ordain as follows. Section 1. Chapter 84 is added 10 'he to r :gele•::ounty Code to read as loflows SECTION 1034.010 Except es.ot.^.erwisv pr^,.:dad for herein. no person shall feed or in an, manner provide food 1e, a nomucmcsticated rodent or a non domesticated mammalian predate,. For purpc<y< of this Ordinance rodent in- cludes ground squirrels For purposes of this O1.:m,tr ce mammalian ;.redalors includes coyote. raccoon. tox. and opossam SECTION 10.3.070. A person may feed cr provide had to a non - domesticated rodent or a ran oomest,cated mem,nahan pre0atdr .,,der the following instances: l e) When the person ,s the owner of such a rodent oe mammalian predator. and such rodent or predator is wept under a valid certificate nr pc: mil issued by '!.c Slate of California Department of Fish and G.. vni (b) When the person Ieeds or prn -.des rood to • u.lpp„d. injured a ar.• weaned, non -domesticated rodent or predator betwe.-r• Iht • me the agency in charce of an'mal con:, of or .its tb<iqn.:, ed au •,t is rot.!:-:.aW picked up by said agency SECTION 1084 0]0 A v<ordin,. o: :Me Ordu....ice shall' p an infraction punishable by la) A line not exceeding 550.00 for a first violation: . Ib) A tine not exceeding 5100 00 for a second violation within one year: (c) A line not exceeding 0250 00 for each additional violation within one year. SECTION 2. Non-domesficz•ed predaicrs have jnfiltraled inhabited.areas in growing numbers threatening life .'nd property. If Is lherelore urgently re- quired for the immediate preservation of one public peace. health. and safety that !his Ordinance take immediate effect. and the same shell take effect im- mediately upon the passage hereof. Section 3. This ordinance shat; be published in METROPOLITAN NEWS. a newspaper printed end published in the County of Los Angeles. SEAL EDMUND D EDELMAN. Chairman. Coard of Supervisors. ATTEST: JAMES 5. MIZE.•Executive Office• Cirrk of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles 1 hereby certify that at ifs meeting of November. 10. 1281. the foregoing or dlnance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors of said Cu:•nl•y of Los Angeles by the following vole. to wit: Ayes: Supervisors Peter F knabar.'m. Kenneth Hahn. Edmund D. Edelman. Deane Dana. Michael O. Antony*. h. Noes: None.. SEAL • JAMES'S:'MIZE, Executive Officer Clerk :,l the Boardol Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles. Elfective dale: November 10 int. G51]Sl 75 Nov 20 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Much of the material contained in this publication is based on information and recommendations by Lila Brooks, Director, California Wildlife De(ender5 , as a public service. L..OSANMt75.COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Peter F. Schabarum, 1st District Kenneth Hahn, 2nd District Edmund D. Edelman, 3rd District Deane Dana, 4th District Michas! D. Antonovich, 5th District DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER �L 1Y -11 N VP`fr w fl 1.1 "' 13 V coy • N LOS ANGELES CO ;e7 • r�. LS • F • A ; F • "On RESIL”NTS LIVING W!.THIN THE vJC'r:- N TY s e. y j DO'S AND DON'TS DO feed pets Indoors orpromptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outside, Store bags of pet food Indoors. DO clear brush and dense weeds from around I.)roperty. This -deprives rodents of shelter and reduces .protective cover for coyotes. Use traps and rodenticides, i( needed, • DO use trash barrels equipped with light clamp- ing device's on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be lipped over by large animals. DON'T feed or provide water for coyotes or other wilt! life. This practice abnormally attracts coyotes and promotes increased number's of rodents, birds, snakes, and other creatures that can" provide major portions of the coyote's natural diet. It is against the law for residents of Los Angeles County to feed coyotes, (County Code; Section 10.8'4,010) DON'T put trash cans out the night before scheduled pick-up, put thorn out in the morning. This witi give thf.' coyote lass time to scavenge, and he won't have the cover of darkness. • DON'T ust.' p1,1 tit; hags nti 1 , k 3;�;rl�.rl�l. c��.l;oint..'rs, CO1'otcs call readily r!;) them open n 1 er the Conte s, TO PROTECT PETS Construct six•foct fences with extenders facing outward at the top of each post. (xtenders can be purchased from local fence dealers.) Install two or three strands oftvire, extending out at an angle for about 14 Inches, cemlrietely „round fence, This will prevent easy scaling by coyotes, Keep small pets- cats, rabbits, , small dogs- Indoors, Don't allow them to iun free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Large dogs should be brought inside after dark, and never allowed to run loose, Don't leave domestic pet food outside. Wildlife will soon ,depend upon it, fAf30\!f! ALL P.ROji:CT CHILDREN, Never le,1yq small children unattended, in arras known to be frec,uentecl by coyotes, if you 114wr, r rcfull+' lio ' '1 1 brochure, 5 �) ,nt,,nr1 Ill tj1.5 broch re, but 1)robic!p. with coyote continue, *;o(1 contact your O:tii / ni � 't rt�til Table 1. Reported coyote attacks on humans - urban Los Angeles County. 1/ 2/6/75 2/ 5/78 2/ 5/79 2/ 6/79 2/ 7/79 ,3/ 3/ 8/79 3/. 7/86 4/ 8/81. Pasadena Glendale Pasadena Lost two-year old boy found surrounded by pack of coyotes - rescued by Glendale Police. Karin a Grotz, age 5, female. Bitten on left leg by coyote while in driveway of home. Pasadena Kory Willis, age 2, female. Attacked by coyote while eating cookies on front porch - grabbed by throat and cheek. Floyd Mattix,-age '67, Male. Coyote bit heel while picking up newspaper from front yard. Pasadena Laura Reinsch, age 17,. female. Leg tore by coyotes while attempting to save dog that was being attacked. Pasadena Bob Dietrich, male. Jogger - coyote hit legs - Dietrich climbed tree to escape. LaVerne 1-Fontsho Downing, age 5,.female. Coyote grabbed and attempted to drag.her into bushes. Deep bites on neck, head; and legs - saved by'father. Agoura Lindsey Raser, age 13 months, female. Grabbed and dragged off -by. coyote - puncture wounds to mid -section - saved by mother. Glendale. Kelly Keen,_age 3,. female. Killed by coyote in front yard - neck broken - massive bleeding. 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ Glendale Police Dept. Pasadena Department of Human Services Animal Bite Reports. News Media Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner - Coroner. • FISH AND GAME CODE 97 4011. Fur -bearing mammals and game mammals when in- volved in dangerous disease outbreaks, may be taken by duly constituted federal officers of the United States Departments of Agriculture, Interior; and Public Health and state officers of the California Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, • and Fish and Game. (Added by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) Cusp. =x 3. NONPEOTECTED MAMMAL s AND DEPREDATORS (The heading of Chapter 2 amended and. renumbered by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1972) • Article 1. Nonprotected Mammals (The heading or Article 1 amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1972) • 4150. Nonprotected mammals are: (a) Moles of the order Insectivora. (b) The order Marsupialia (opossums). _ (c) The order Rodentia (rats, mice and gophers, poreu- .pines, etc.), excluding the species of the genus Sciurus and the genus Tamiasciurus (tree squirrels), the genus Glauconiys _(fling squirrels), the genus Ondatra (muskrats), and the genus Castor (beavers). (d) Coyotes of the family Cauidae. (e) Weasels and skunks of the family Mustelidae. • (f) Cougars and bobcats of' the family Felidae. Nonprot.ected•mammals may he taken at any time. `' (Amended by Stats:1957, Ch. 1972.) 4151. .Any cat found within the limits of any fish and game :,:refuge is a nonproteoted mammal, unless it in in the residence ;;of its owner or upon the grounds of the owner adjacent to such :. residence. (Amended by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) 4152. Nonprotected mammals and black -tailed jack rabbits, � .'muskrats, and red fox squirrels which are found to be injuring .o owing crops or other property may be taken at any time or in any manner by the owner or tenant of the premises. They may also be taken by' officers_ or employees of the .California. • Department of.A.gr.iculture or by federal, or county officers or .employees when acting in their official capacities pursuant to .the provisions of the .Agricultural Code pertaining to pests, or pursuant to the provisions of Section 139.5 of that code. (Amended by Stets. 1957, Ch. 1972.) 4153. The department shall control and eradicate harmful nonprotected mammals, and for that purpose may enter into cooperative agreements with any agency of the State or the United States. The department may take any.mammal which, in its opinion, is unduly preying upon any bird, mammal, or fish. (Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1972.) 4-76012 104-1 C TITLE 14 CALIFORNIA ADMMLNISTRATIVE CODE EXTRAC?S BIRD CONTROL 503. CROP DAMAGE In accordance with the provisions of Section 39 of the Fish and Game Code and pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Fish and Game Commission does hereby approve all orders promulgated by the Federal Government authorizing the taking of rai ory game birds to alleviate crop depredations, 2nd further approves the issuance of any crop depredation permits issued by the _ Federal Government to kill or herd ri zztary game birds. FISH AND GAME CODE EXTRACTS .. hlA►NEI,IAL CONTROL:" 325_ SPECIAL SEASONS - GAME MAMMALS Whenever after due investigation the commission finds that game mammals, other than actiarless deer, and fur -bearing rianrmals and resident game birds have increased in numbers in any areas, districts, or portions thereof other than a refuge or preserve estzblished by statute, to such an extent that a surplus exists, or to .such an extent that the raarra_na1s or birds are damaging public or private property, or are overgrazing their range, the comm. may provide by regulation, for a special hu ng season for the mammals and birds, additional to, or concurrent vrith any other open season specified by law; or provide for increased bag Limits; or remove sex restrictions specified by Iaw_.The taking of antlerless deer under this section may only be authorized if the commission determines such mammals are damaging public or private property. _ 2014. EXEMPTION FROM RECOVERY.. OF DAMAGES BY STATE • • It is the policy of this State to •conserv-e its natural resources and •to 'prevent the wilful ornegIigent destruction of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or arnphibia. The State may recover damages in a civil action against any person who unlawfully or negligently takes or destroys any bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian protected by the laws of this State. The rneasure of damages is the amount , which. will compensate for all the detriment -proximately caused by the_ •destruction of • such birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or arnphi c ia. An action to recover damages under this section shall be brought in•the name of the -people of the State, in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the cause of action arose_ This section does not apply to persons engaged in agricultural pest control, to the destruction of tsh in irrigation canals or v;orls or irrigation drainages, or to the destruction of birds or mammals killed while damaging ng crops as provided by law. ` • \ 2019. BOUNTIES • It is unlawful for any person, including state, federal, county, and city officials or.their agents, to authorize, offer or pay a bounty for any bird or rnanrr_a . This section does not apply to -any person with respect to the to/slag-of any bird or mammal on the private property of such person. 2052. RARE OR ENDANGERED ANIMALS No person shall import into -this State, or take, possess-, or sell. within this State, any bird, mammal, fisn,•thaphibia or reptile, or any part or product thereof, that the commission determines to be an endangered animal or rare animal, except as otherwise provided in this chapter_ 2117. DEFINES ENFORCING OFFICER IN REGARD • TO IMPORTATION- OF RESTRICTED ANIMALS As used in this chapter, "enforcing offices" means the enforcement .personnel of,the department, the State plant quarantine •officers, • and the county agricultural commissioners. • • 2115... LIST OF RESTRICTED SPECIES It is unlawful to import, transport, or release alive into this State except. under permit as provided in this chapter and. the.regularions pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species: • . (a) Class Ayes (birds):... .. .. Family Cuculiidae (cuckoos) • AU species Family Alaudidze (i`.rks) Skylark, Ala:.da crvensi$ Family Corvidae (caws, jays, mangpies) All species Family Tu didae (thrashes) . European blackbird, Turdus meruta . Missel (or mistle), thrash, Turdus vi.: ri r•orus Family Sturnidae (starlings and mynas or mynahs) All species of the family, except hill myna (or bill mynah), Gracula rcligora (sornetim°s re'erred to as Eu:ebes religiosa) 150. NON GAME MAMMALS - DEFINE it mammals- occurring naturally• in Celif.,_.-ca which are of game m:simas, fully protected matn:mels, or or -bearing mar -opals, are noneame mammals. Nongame ::tar sepias may not -be taken or possessed except es provided in this cede or in eccordaice with -regulations adopted by the commission. 4152_ TAKING NONGAME MAMMALS, JACKRABBITS, MUSKRATS, AND RED FOX SQUIRRELS Nongarne mammals and black -tailed jackrabbits, muskrats, and red fox squirrels which. axe found to be injuring growing crops. or other property may be taken at any tirne or in hay canner by the ow er or tenant of the premises or employees thereof, except that if leg -hold steel -jawed traps are used to take such mammals, the traps and the use thereof shall be in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (a) an.d (b) of Section 4004__ They may also be takers. by officers or employees of the California Department of Food and Agriculture or by federal, or county officer or employe -ens when acting in their official "capacities ousstant to- the provisions of the Food and A ra:cuitural Code pertaining to pests, or pursuant to the prooisions of Article 6 (commencing with'Section 6021) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Food and . Agricultural Code. Persons taking mammals in accordance with this section are exempt • from the requirements of Section 3007. (Exempt from requiring a hunting license or permit.) 41180. FUR -BEARING MAMMALS - DEPREDATIONS" Fur -bears rag mammals which are injuring property May be taker. at any time and in any manner, except that if leg-; o!d steel -jawed traps are used to take such mamma's, the Caps and the use_ thereof shall be in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (z) and -(b) cf Section 4004_ 4181. GRAY SQUIRREL, BEAVER, ELK, BEAR, , WILD BOAR - DEPREDATION PERMITS Any owner cr tenant of land or property that is being damaged -or destroyed or is ir. danger of being damaged or destroyed by era, bear, beaver, wild boar, or gay squirrels, may apply to the department for. a .perrnit- to kill such mz:. vials. 'The department, upon satisfactory -evidence of such damage or destruction, actual or immediately threw tened, shall issue a revoczble perrnit for the taking and disp osition of such sear _orals under regulations promulgated by the comma -ion. Mamma's so taken shall not 5e'scld, nor shipped from the premises on which they are taken, except under instructions from the department. No iron or steel -jawed or any type of metal -jawed trap shall be used to take any bear pursuant to this section_ No poison of any •type may be used to take any gray squirrel pursuant to this section. The department shall designate the type of trap to be used -to insure the most humane method is Used to trap•gray squirrels. The department may require trapped squirrels to be released in parks or other non-agricultural ltura areas- It shall be unlawful for any person to iiola_z• the .terms of any permit issued under the provisions of this section. 4181-5. DEER - OEPREDAT{ON PERMITS Any owner or tenant of land or property that is being damaged or destroyed by deer may apply to the department for a permit to kill such deer - (T. (The remainder of this sc-ction describes the authority to issue tl'e permit ar'd the res: ct:ons on taking depredating .ec,r.) • 4182. BEAVER CONT' AREA When it is dernoustr:t -d to _..e coinrni ,inn that beavers are damaging or destroying. or threateni;;g to damage or destroy agricu.tueal !ands, crows, levees, el- other irrigation structures, the commission scull establish a beaver control area and permit the taking of beaver therein for the immediate correction of the damage or destruction under regulations which will. allow the marketing of pelts until such time as the damage or destruction or threatened damage or destruction is abated_ 4183_ BEARS - TAKING BY OWNER OF LIVESTOCK Nothing in this code prohibits an owner of livestock from protecting such livestock from depredations of bear, nor prohibits federal, state, or county trappers from killing or trapping bens when such bears are `- Eng or molesting livestock, but no iron or steel -jawed or any type of metal -jawed trap shall be used to take any such bear, and no person, including employees- of the state, federal or county government shall take beax with iron or steel -jawed or any type of metal -jawed traps. 4186. COTTONTAIL RABBITS - TAKING WHEN CAUSING DAMAGE Nothing in this code prohibits the owner or tenant of land, or any person authorized it writing by such owner or tenant, from taking cottontail or brush rabbits during any time of the year when damage to crops or forage is being experienced on such land_ Any person other than the owner or tenant of such land shit have in possession. when transporting rabbits from such property icritten;znthority from the owner or tenant of land where -such rabbits were taken. Rabbits taken under the provision of this code may not be sold. 4188. DEER DEPREDATION HUNT When a landowner cr tenant applies for a permit under Section -4181.5, the commission, in lieu of such a permit, • may, with the consent of or upon the request of the landowner or tenant, under appropriate regulatiors, issue permits to persons holding, valid hunting licenses to take deer. in sufficient numbers to stop the damage or threatened damage. (The remainder of this section describe: the method of establishing such a special bunt.) 4700. FULLY PROTECTED MAMMALS.- DEFINED Fully protected mammals or parts thereof may not be taken or possessed at any time and no provision of this code or any other law shall be construed to authorize the issuance of permits or license; to take any fully protected mammal and no such permits or licenses heretofore imucd shall have any force or effect for any such purpose; except that the commission may authorize the collecting of such species for necessary scientific research. Legally imported fully protected mammals or parts thereof inay be possessed under penr.it issued' by the department_ The following are fully protected mammals: Morro Bay kangaroo rat, D;p'c'ornys herrrr_anni rrorroensis Bighorn sheep, Orris c_:.idensis Northern elephant sea!, rtlirourtgt engustiro.rirsts Guadalupe fur seal,-Irctocephe us toi rsendi Ring-tailed cat, Baererscrrr astu,-u Facia right whale, Euhe!iener sieboldi Sa1t,-r'arsh harvest mouse, Rcithrodontorl s rcr?pen:rs (h) Southern sea otter, EnJ vdra lu:ris nereis (i) Wolverine ihi!c lithe:. i TITLE 14 Fiss AND CA.et OMMr+SI,t 52.34.1 (nepiy:ar 77, No. -2.5-4,--14-77) 46.3. Methods fur Taking }urbeare.s. Furl;ear•'sg marenn—Is nr.y be taken only with firearm, how and arrc ::,-poison under proper a permit from the Department of Fish and Caine, or with the use of do, s, or traps except that taps may not be used in the area described in Section 474(a) of these regulations. (Prohibition on the use of poison or saw-toothed.or spiked -jawed traps: In accordinc:- with Section 4003 of the Fish and Game Code, it is unlawful to use poison to take furbearers without a permit from the department; Section 4004 prohibits use of saw-toothed or spiktjawed traps to take furbearers.) History- 1. Amendment Pled 5-29-69; designated effective 7-1-69 (Register 69, No. 22). • • For prior history, see Register 67, No. 24. 2. Amendment fled 65-72, effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 72, No. 2I). . - 465.1. Use of Dogs in Taking Forbearers_ Forbearing mammals . may not be taken with the aid of dogs between February 1 and April • 30 in the following area Beginning at Pine Flat Reservoir and the Sierra National Forest boundary' north along forest boundary to Maxon Road; northwesterly along Maxon Road to Burroughs Valley Road; northerly along Burroughs Valley Road to the intersection witli Tollhouse -Road; northerly along Tollhouse Road to the intersection with Highway 16.3; northeasterly along Highway 163 to its intersection with the Dickey - Creek Road at Shaver Lake; easterly along the Dinkey Creek Road to the intersection with McKinley Grove Road; easterly along the McKin- ley Grove Road to the east end of Wishon Da.r^n northerly along the east side of Wishon Reservoir to Woodchuck Creek; easterly along Wood- chuck Creek to the John Muir Wilderness Area boundary; southerly along the Wilderness Area boundary to the Kings Can. yon National Park boundary at the Obelisk; southeasterly along the National Park bound-. ary to the Middle Fork of the Kings .River; westerly along the Middle Fork of the Kings River, the Kings River, and the no; them shore of Pine Flat Reservoir to the point of beginning.. NoTE Authority cited: Sections 201-221, Fish and Came Code.. History. I. New section filed 6675; deign:te33 effec5ve 7-1-75 (Register 75, No. 23).. 465.5. Use of Steel Leg -Hold or Conibear Type Traps. The fol- lowing regulations shall apply to the use of steel leg -hold or co;sibear type traps used to take furbearing or nongasne rnamnmali: (a) Traps with saw-toothed or spiked jaws may not be used. (b) Steel leg -hold traps with- a. spread of 5',4 inches or larger shall \N; have jaws offset a minimum of 3;i, inch, and shall incorporate a ter .ion device of sufficient strength to prevent capture of nontarget animals_ (c) Muskrats may not be taken. with steel leg -hold traps having a j acv spread larger than 434 inches. (d) All traps shall bear a number registered with the department. Any person who traps furbearin .rnammals. or nonga e mammals shall - obtain a trap number registered.withthe department. This section does not apply to trapping done for depredation control by the landowner or tenant. 5_'.312 NATlir4L.RESOURCE'S TITLE I (P.e;istor TT, tio. 7S. -6i4.7'1 (e) All traps shall be =^s.ed one &lily by the trapper and . U trapped animal; shah be removed.. This section does not apply to trapping done for depredation control by the landowner or tenant. (f) Steel leg -hold traps. ith a jaw spread exceeding 7% inches or traps of the conibear type with a jaw open..ing larger than 10 inches by I0 inches sha11 not be used. (g) Steel leg -hold trapslhall not be set or maintained within 30 feet of bait placed in such a manner or position that it may be seen by any soaring bird. As used in this subsection "bait" includes any bait con.r- posed of mammal, bird, or fish flesh, fur., hide, entrails. or feathers. Nara Authority cited: Secb rs 200-2?1. Fish and Lazne Code. • History: 1. New section filed 6-7-74; designated effective 7-1-74 (Register 74, No. 23). • 2. Arnendcient FJed 5-x76; designated effective 7-1-76 (Register 76,. No. 23). • 3.. Editorial correcSc of subse:tion (b) (Register 76, No. 43)... .. 456. Hours for Taking Furbearers. Furbearers may be taken at• any hour of the day or night. except that. they may riot betaken behveeu• "one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise in the area • described in Section 474(a) of these regulations.. . History.- 1. New section filed 65.72,• effective thirtieth day thereafter (Fief;ter 72, _ " No. 2A). _ FISH AND GAME CODE 85 DIVISION 4. BIRDS AND MAMMALS PART 1. PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO BOTH • CHAPTER 1. .GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1. Methods of Taking 3000. It is unlawful to take. any bird...or mammal, •except a nongame mammal, between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day at the place of taking; except as otherwise provided in this code or 'under such regulations as the commission may adopt. The commission may adopt regulations prohibiting the taking of any nongame mammal between one-half hourafter sunset. and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day at the place of taking: (Amended by State: 1971, Ch: 1470.) • . 3001. It is unlawful to take birds or mammals with firearms or with:bow • and arrow when intoxicated. 3002. It is unlawful to shoot at any game bird or mammal, including -a marine mammal as defined in Section 4500, from a powerboat, sailboat, motor vehicle, or airplane. (Amended by Stab. 1975, Ch. 786.) • . 3003. (Repealed by Stats: 1971,. Ch. 1343.) 30035. It is unlawful to pursue, drive, or herd any bird or mammal with any motorized water, land, or air vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, airplane, powerboat, or snowmobile, except in•any of the following circumstances: • (a) On private property by the landowner or tenant thereof to drive or herd game mammals. for the. purpose of preventing- damage •by such. mammals to private property. (b) .Pursuant to •a permit. from the department issued under such regulations as the commission may prescribe. (c) • In the pursuit of agriculture. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1343.) 3004. It is unlawful for any person, other than the' owner, person in possession of the premises, or a . erson having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of -the premises, to hunt or to discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 .yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other. • Outbuilding used in connection' therewith. The 150 -yard area is a "safety • zone." 3005. It is unlawful to take birds or mamrnals.with•any net, pound, cage, trap', set line or wire, or poisonous substance, or to possess birds or mammals so taken, whether taken within or without this state. . Proof of possession of any bird or mammal which does not show evidence of having been taken by means other than a net, pound, cage,.trap, set line or wire, or poisonous substance, is prima facie evidence that the birds or mammals were taken in violation of the provisions of this section. .. 1 This section does not apply to the Lawful taking of furbearing Mammals, nongame birds, nongame mammals, or mammals found to be injuring crops (or property, nor to the taking of birds or mammals under depredation 4-8183i 1980 1 86 FISH AND GAME CODE permits, nor to taking by employees of•the department acting in an official capacity or holders of a scientific or propagation permit acting in accordance with the conditions of the permit. (Amended by Stats. 197I, Ch. 1470.) 3005.5. It is-• unlawful to capture any. game 'mammal; game bird, or nongame bird, or to possess Or confine any live game mammal, game bird, or nongame bird taken from the wild, except as provided by this code or regulations made pursuant thereto. Any bird or mammal possessed or confined in violation of this section shall be seized by the department. The commisSion may promulgate regulations permitting the•temporary' confinement of game mammals, game birds, or nongame birds for. the purpose of treating such •animals, if injured or diseased. (Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1470.) 3005.7. It is unlawful to capture any mountain lion or to possess or confine any live mountain lion taken from the. wild, except as provided by this••code or regulations made pursuant thereto. Any mountain lion possessed. or confined in violation of this section .shall be seized by the department. . The commission may promulgate regulations permitting,the temporary . confinement of mountain lions for the purpose of treating them, if injured or diseased. This section shall remain in effect .only until January 1, 1983, and as of that • date is repealed. (Amended by Stats..1977, Ch. 390; effective only until January 1, 1983.) 3005.9. (a) It is unlawful to possess or confine any live cat (family Felidae)., except house cats (Fells domesticus), except as provided in this division and in Section 3202. Any cat possessed or confined in violation of this section may be seized by_ the department for disposal as directed by the commission. • The commission shall promulgate regulations permitting the temporary confinement .of cats, other than house cats, for the purpose of required veterinary treahnent or care, or. for utilization in television or motion picture productions. • The following institutions, as defined, are exempt from the.provisions of • •this section: . (1) Zoos certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. (2) Any university, college; governmental research agency, or other bona fide scientific institution, as determined by the departnent, engaging in scientific or. public health research. In addition, any organization which, or individual who, exhibits or cares for cats, such as circuses 'or wildlife rehabilitation centers, incompliance with standards that safeguard the health and wellbeing of the cats, as determined by the commission, shall be exempted from the provisions of this section. (b) Subdivision (a) of this section shall not prohibit the possession or confinement of any cat by a person who had lawful possession of such cat on . January 1, 1979, pursuant.to a permit issued by the department under Section 2150 or Section 3200.. The annual fee for such permit shall be set by the commission in an amount calculated to help cover the costs of administration. Progeny deterfnined to have been conceived before January 1, 1979, are exempt from subdivision (b). of Section 3005.9 but are subject to department regulations regarding their possession or confinement. 1981) S • 7 _ O R3FGRAPliCOLOURUBRARY.T.Ys Cl7Ei1 .1T1011.- The European settlers' view of the coyote as pest persists in much of North America, with 400,000 coyotes killed each year. O GREG VAVGWYIOM STACK & ASSO,IATES people find exciting because they remind us that there is wildness not far beyond our communities. However, coyotes may prey on companion animals such as cats and small dogs since companion animals are similar in size to their natural prey. Though still rare, attacks on people have occurred, and have become more frequent, primarily when coyotes become habituated to the presence of humans and begin to directly associate people with food. Creating a Tragedy There has been only one reported human fatality from a coyote attack in U.S. history. In 1981, a coyote killed a 3 -year old girl in Glendale (a suburb of Los Angeles) whose family and neighbors had been leaving food out for coyotes and sitting in lawn chairs to watch them eat. By their actions, the family had taught the coyote to directly associate humans with food, leading to the tragedy. The Glendale attack, and others, could have been avoided had people recognized their own roles within the conflicts. Humans must begin to bear the responsibility for the creation and escalation of human/coyote conflicts and recognize that solutions will only be found when state and local governments, communities, and individuals alter their own behavior to head off coyote incidents. A 10 -year review of human/coyote conflicts in California concluded: [H]uman-caused changes in the environment, coupled with changes in human behaviour towards coyotes, may result in the development of serious human -coyote conflicts. Public aware- ness of the danger of coyotes and other large predators to humans and pets was found to remain a limited and localized issue, primarily existing where prior problems had occurred. The general public's lack of concern and awareness is a serious problem and is the real root of coyote - human conflicts. (R.O. Baker and R.M. Timm. "Management of conflicts between urban coyotes and humans in southern California." Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 18 (1998), 299-312.) coyote Biology Coyotes (Canis latrans), native to North America, are small wild dogs that resemble German Shepherds, with large pointed ears and narrow muzzles. Varying in color from gray to red,'all coyotes have a distinct 'black tipped tail. Coyotes occupy the biological niche bcttivecn foxes and wolvc, and play an intcgral role in their environment by helping maintain natural ecosystem functioning. • Coyotes are primarily pack animals. (While loners do exist, they are generally found in heavily hunted populations or are young males dispersing from their pack.) Because of their strong social hierarchy, reproduction is generally reserved for the pack's leaders, the "alpha" male and female. The female typically gives birth to one litter a year between January and March. Litter size varies from 4 to 9 pups, with 2 pups surviving the first year on average in unexploited populations. The typical life span for a coyote living in the wild is five years. However, some wild coyotes 'have been known to survive into their teens. In heavily hunted populations, life spans are significantly shorter. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and will consume almost any available food, from berries and nuts, to rodents and rabbits, to garbage and carrion. Highly revered by many indigenous American cultures who recognized the coyote's cunning, wily, and adaptive ways, the coyote was known as the "trickster, "the creator," and "God's Dog." European settlers, however, considered coyotes to be pests, a view that persists in much of North America. As a result, the coyote remains one of the most persecuted animals across the U.S. 12 Animal Issues Centuries of Persecution Traditionally, the preferred method of addressing conflicts between humans and coyotes has been to trap or shoot "problem" animals to reinforce the coyote's natural fear of humans. Besides placing undeserved blame on the coyotes for a human caused situation, lethal control ultimately fails because coyotes will eventually return unless the food that initially attracted them is removed. Still, the historical practice of killing predators remains a large obstacle to change. Americans have always had a penchant for persecuting predators. Even today, when a conflict arises between predators and humans, it is still the gun, trap, or poison that is most often used to address the problem. Such an approach is steeped in tradition and fueled by a centuries -old fear of predators. When European settlers first discovered large numbers of wolves, bears, coyotes, and other large carnivores inhabiting the prairies and forests of the newly colonized lands, they considered these animals "vermin" and competitors for game species as well as a threat to livestock. Bounties were offered, and a systematic predator eradication plan was established. In 1931 Congress expanded and formalized the predator killing campaign by passing the Animal Damage Control Act, which called for the "suppression, eradication, and control" of wild animals considered a threat to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, game species, and birds. The program killed off almost all of the few surviving wolves and grizzly bears in the lower 48 states and then set its sight on coyotes. Persecuted Predator To date, the coyote remains the most persecuted predator in the U.S. Each year, approximately 400,000 coyotes — one per minute — are killed by federal, state and local governments A tough and shrewd omnivore, the coyote will pursue food anywhere, even diving into a rabbit hole. and private individuals, primarily to protect livestock. Over time, the numbers are staggering. From 1916 to 1975, the Cooperative Federal Animal Damage Control program killed 3,973,558 coyotes, a figure that does not include the unrecorded millions of coyotes slaughtered by private trappers, hunters, and ranchers. Even today, most states have no laws regulating by what means, or how many, coyotes may be killed. Bounty laws passed in the 19th century are still on the books in a number of states, which pay hunters $1-$5 per coyote. Despite human's best efforts to eradicate the coyote, the coyote has thrived. As recently as the mid -1800s, coyotes could be found only in the prairies and grasslands of the western U.S. and Southwestern Canada. Human alteration of the landscape and the decimation of larger carnivores like the grey wolf and grizzly bear, have allowed the coyote to expand its range throughout the continent. One part of the coyote's success in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is its strong compensatory responses to population reductions, likely the result of evolutionary adaptations developed while competing with other canids, such as the gray wolf. Perfect Success Story When undisturbed by humans, coyotes regulate their own numbers based on the available food supply. This self - regulation results largely from the strong social hierarchy within packs. In unexploited populations, only the alpha pair — the pack leaders — breed. However, when populations are subjected to lethal control, as many as 50-60% of females breed because the social hierarchy has been disrupted. The new pups are also more likely to survive to adulthood because of decreased competition for available food. Also, coyotes in neighboring areas move in to fill the territories left by lethal control. Thus coyotes are able to rapidly replenish their numbers and reoccupy vacated habitat, effectively negating efforts to control them. No one knows just how many coyotes exist. Educated guesses range from one million to tens of millions. Today, coyotes inhabit wild lands, suburbs, and cities from the Panama Canal to the edge of the Canadian tundra and from Central Park to Santa Monica Boulevard. In the Eastern United States, the coyote's trademark yip and howl has become familiar. They have accomplished this expansion by being flexible in their habits, cooperative with their kind, opportunistic by nature, deft at observational learning, suspicious, tough, and shrewd. Indeed, the coyote's ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of persecution has left many in the lethal predator control business scratching their heads. In short, the coyote is a perfect ecological success story. Integral and Invaluable The deeply entrenched practice of addressing human/ coyote conflicts with lethal force has been criticized by the public and some members of the scientific community because of a growing appreciation for large carnivores and their importance in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Coyote biologists have long recognized the role of coyotes in controlling rodent populations. A significant and growing body of research asserts that the presence of large carnivore Winter 2000 13 Competition with other canids such as the gray wolf helped the coyote evolve his successful survival characteristics. 0 RANDY NAPIER species, such as the coyote, also preserves species diversity. One study in suburban San Diego found that by controlling the numbers of smaller camivores, including grey fox, raccoon, striped skunk, opossum, and domestic cats in highly fragmented ecosystems, coyotes actually help preserve populations of native birds that would have otherwise been eaten by the smaller carnivores. Thus, while proponents of lethal control point to the coyote's predation of livestock and "game" species as "proof" of nefariousness, modern ecological research shows them to be integral, and invaluable, parts of our ecosystems. The Right to Live Free Increased public opposition to lethal methods has placed greater pressure on communities and wildlife managers to address conflicts with non -lethal means. Public opinion that there is a growing appreciation of wildlife in the U.S. as.well as a desire for wildlife conflicts to be handled with non -lethal methods that cause the least amount of pain and suffering. Indeed, animal suffering appears to be an increasingly important factor for Americans. In an April 1999 Decision Research poll commissioned by API, 76% of respondents believe "an animal's right to live free of suffering should be just as important as a person's right to live free of suffering." Significantly, the awareness that human/ coyote conflicts are very often the result of human behavior has begun to permeate the philosophy of wildlife management, though there is a great deal of resistance to this notion, especially among state and federal wildlife management agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services agency still inappro- priately places blame for human/ wildlife conflicts on the animals and kills tens of thousands of predators each year, despite increased public opposition and a growing recognition among scientists that lethal control may be counterproductive (see "Wild- life Services," this page). surveys demonstrate Wildhte Services The Wildlife Services program (for- merly Animal Damage Control) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). One of Wildlife Services (WS) most contro- versial activities is killing coyotes and other animals, primarily to protect western livestock interests. Each year more than $10 million in federal funds is spent for this purpose, and more than 50% of this budget is spent on western livestock protection — mainly coyote killing. However, with escalating con- flicts between humans and coyotes in urban and suburban areas, WS is increasingly moving into the business of "nuisance wildlife control." The lethal methods used are the same: poisons, steel -jaw leghold traps, strangulation neck snares, denning (the killing of coyote pups in their dens with poison gas and/or clubbing), hounding, shoot- ing, and aerial gunning. Condemned by many as non -selective, imprecise, hap- hazard, and often brutally inhumane, such . methods have .come under in- creased public, Congressional, and scientific scrutiny. A 1994 audit of WS's livestock protection program found that when state and local contributions are added, WS kills coyotes at an average cost of well over $100 per animal. Costs sometimes exceed $2,000 per animal. Wildlife Services FY 98 Number of Coyotes Killed by Method Aerial Gunning 25,584 M44 19,405 Neck Snare 10,346 Call Shooting 6,085 Leghold Traps 9,703 Shot 3,271 Denning 1,902 Other Mechanical 1,446 Other Chemical 138 Livestock Protection Collar Spot Shooting Cage Traps 17 Leg/ Foot Snare 3 Kill Traps Total: Intentional Takes 54 42 77,985. • • Just one of the lethal "nuisance control" methods used by Wildlife Services is denning — the killing of coyote pups in their dens with poison gas and/or clubbing. rJ Randy Nap.. 14 Animal Issues CAD Keeping Coyotes at a Distance Coyotes are drawn to urban and suburban neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into native habitat and the availability of food. Take the following steps to prevent coyotes from being attracted to your home: • Secure garbage cans by fastening lids with rope, bungee cords, or chains and tying the handle to a stake driven into the ground. • Dispose of especially attractive food wastes such as meat, cheese, and eggs by adding a small amount of ammonia to the bag to deter coyotes. If it will be several days before garbage pick up, temporarily freeze these wastes until they can be properly disposed of. • When composting, use enclosed bins rather than exposed piles. Avoid adding dog or cat waste, meat, milk or eggs, and any food containing these products, to compost. • If you have fruit trees, pick the ripe fruit and keep fallen fruit off the ground. Coyotes are fond of ripe fruit. • Outdoor lights triggered by motion sensors may keep coyotes from approaching your house at night. • Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes find cover and critters to feed on. Note: Trapping and relocation of coyotes is not recommended. Disruption of family packs can cause orphaned juveniles to seek easy prey such as small dogs and cats. And other coyotes will move into the vacated area. If You Encounter a Coyote Coyotes are usually wary of humans and will avoid people whenever possible. Aggressive behavior toward people is not normal and is most often a result of habituation due to feeding by humans. If you encounter a coyote, remember the following: • Never attempt to "tame" a coyote. • Avoid direct eye contact. • Do not turn your back or run from a coyote. • Attempt to leave the area calmly. - • If followed by a coyote, make loud noises and make: yourself look big. • If this fails, throw rocks, first near the ground next to the coyote, then, if necessary, at the body, never the head. • . Always keep yourself between the coyote and small children. - • If attacked, fight back. . • Coyotes are not considered a disease threat. Outbreaks . . of rabies in coyotes are rare, and not commonly implicated in the transmission of the disease to humans or domestic animals. Keeping Companion Animals Safe Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey to the coyote, while larger dogs may be injured m a confrontation. To avoid these situations consider the following. • Fence your property or yard. The fence must be at least 6 feet tall with the bottom extending at least 6 inches below the ground. Fences can be made more effective by outwardly inverting the top of the fence or by using electric fencing along the top and bottom of your fence. o Keep animals in at night (coyotes are primarily nocturnal). • If you allow your cats to go outside unattended and there is little or no natural tree cover, you can help protect your cat by installing "cat posts." Cat posts can be any type of long climbable wooden post (4x4 or comer posts) that stands out of the ground at least 6 to 8 feet. The post will provide the cat with an opportunity to escape from a pursuing coyote. (Note: API encourages cat guardians to keep their cats indoors where they are safe from cars and other animals.) o Don't leave dog or cat food outside. • Discuss an appropriate dog or cat vaccination program with your vet. (Note: Transmission of disease from coyotes to domestic animals is extremely rare; however canine distemper and rabies are known to be transmitted in this fashion.) 9 Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs. Male coyotes will be attracted to unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs may be lured away by an ovulating female coyote. COI Winter 2000 15 Accepting Responsibility After the tragic death in Glendale, the city opted not to conduct a widespread trapping program. Rather, after identifying and killing the coyote that attacked the young girl, city officials initiated an extensive public education program. The city sends information packets to citizens experiencing wildlife problems that describe coyote biology, fencing techniques, recommended sanitation practices, and modifica- tions in human behavior to mitigate conflicts. Trapping, using box traps, is only used as last resort to capture a "specific chronic problem coyote" when public safety is at risk. The city also enacted regulations mandating the securing of garbage. In his letter of introduction to citizens, Glendale Police Captain Michael Post writes, "The prevalent scientific view prescribes educated co -existence as the only realistic long term solution of coyote -human conflicts." The citizens of Glendale recognized that they had indirectly caused the death of the little girl by feeding and habituating coyotes. By accepting responsibility for creating an environ- ment attractive to coyotes; the community was able to solve its own problem. In fact, the neighborhood in which the little girl lived had no more incidents with coyotes after the proactive public education program was implemented. Inevitable Encounters As civilization encroaches further into wildlife habitat to make room for an ever-increasing human population, encounters between humans and coyotes will inevitably occur. Communities will be increasingly called upon to address such conflicts and wildlife managers will face greater public pressure to address coyote conflicts with non -lethal methods. API and other organizations have begun to work with state and local wildlife agencies to foster collaboration, to provide communities with resources and expertise, and to seek humane, effective, long-term solutions. Enter the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN), a diverse coalition of wildlife experts and wildlife agency representatives formed to address human/wildlife conflicts in northern California through public education and community forums. The city of San Ramon, tired of the escalating controversy, gladly welcomed UWIN and organized a public forum at the local Community Center. The authors represented API on the panel, along with representatives from the California Department of Fish and Game, the Little Blue Society, the San Mateo parks department, and an agricultural inspector from Santa Cruz. The meeting confirmed our belief that public education at the community level is pivotal to resolving conflicts with coyotes and other wild animals. People need a forum to air their concerns and fears while receiving concrete recommendations for resolving the perceived problems they are experiencing. Educated Co -Existence The solutions are'not always easy or readily available. But, if the money and efforts that would otherwise be used to kill coyotes were redirected toward non -lethal carnivore control methods — public education, preventive tactics to instill fear in wild animals, better landscape development, and improved fencing — coyote/human conflicts could be significant] 62. reduced with no adverse impacts on the coyote populations. Coyotes that have been habituated to human activity can likewise be unhabituated by again learning to fear humans through aversive conditioning techniques. Indeed, because of the propensity of coyote populations to reoccupy vacant habitat, it may be ideal to maintain stable coyote packs that are conditioned to avoid human interaction, as they will prohibit transient coyotes, who may not have an aversion to humans, from entering their territories. While, as noted above, trapping has been the primary method used to achieve these results, it is neither humane, nor selective. More importantly, trapping and indiscriminate killing do not place the responsibility where it belongs — on humans. The only viable long-term solution to resolving conflicts with coyotes is to adopt a position of "educated co -existence." To this end, API has developed a number of educational materials to help individuals and communities effectively and humanely address conflicts with coyotes. Materials include a brochure and a radio public service announcement (PSA) that offer tips on methods to mitigate problems, and a detailed monograph highlighting the scientific research on non -lethal predator management methods. If you have experienced coyote conflicts in your neighborhood and need assistance, please contact API. (We also would appreciate newspaper clippings on this subject so we can send our radio PSA to these communities to help educate the public.) Today, coyotes inhabit wild lands, suburbs, and cities from • the Panama Canal to the edge of the Canadian tundra. . ORAHDYNAPIER.. P4' 16 Animal Issues Facsimile Transmission TO: Cam: // FROM: Loren DeRoy Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Phone: (310) 544-0881 Fax: (310) 377-6627 RE: op Tire ?cocI'? DATE: Jam- 430 - 01 # pages including this transmission cover sheet: ef6, : 0/4 /n nc%1 i he 6,0 cl) (44.,t OvL r/4-"i I�S�► GcJ �q � t71//7/ 6) --tote . 7 Gr'l �j �►�� (' 6 (AP d /`fi c.� 6n /4'%)-,dd apt a' L,0(// Send a ut)c vA 0,7 cad/ ‘-filiAA TO 39tid /./7 Of) 6) s / S 1}3hci - - A/ -10.s / "yiee A' :-C1/1 -74N4c4 pe4.2,fLJ 471/-61(:14 AO I3G lu7D-r_e„ L73ELLEA 9R :RT T.PGl7./GIB'/7T Mercy Crusade Inc.: Coyot^ A'ert rage iofz COYOTE ALERT! Mercy Crusade Inc. Many areas are undergoing extensive urban development_ This has brought about some undesirable encounters with animals other than our domestic dogs and cats. One of the most reported incidents concerns sighting of coyotes. A brief overview of this highly adaptable creature follows for your information. Coyotes range from Central America to the Arctic. Almost every state in the U.S.A., every province in Canada, and all of Mexico is the home range for this truely unique creature. In form and size, coyotes resemble a small Collie dog, with erect pointed ears, slender muzzle and bushy tail. Coloration of the animal may vary from light grey to nearly black to red or nearly white. Most active at night or during early morning hours, their good eyesight and keen sense of smell are of great value in locating food sources, such as small live animals, carrion, fruits, garbage or pet foods. These suggestions may help if you have a present problem with coyotes or may benefit in the prevention of problems : DO 1. Feed pets indoors or promptly remove food dishes when pets have completed their outdoor feeding. 2. Store bags of commercial pet food indoors. 3. Clear brush and dense weeds from around the area. 4.. Fence your yard to keep out unwanted animals. 5. Put trash in strong barrels with tight lids. DON'T 1. Feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. 2. Use plastic bags as trash containers. 3. Put trash out the night before pick-up, but rather on the scheduled day of service, at the latest chance. 4. Allow small domestic pets to run at large at any time. They are an easy prey for coyotes. Animal Control will respond to complaints about coyotes which have become a threat to humans or are observed during daylight hours. Due to the nature and characteristics of the coyote, the responding animal control officer will make the determination of what techniques or methods may be utilized in repelling the animal. The officer will also educate residents in steps that may be helpful in preventing future problems. The trapping of coyotes has been found controversial and "not effective" in solving the urban coyote problem. Animal Control will not trap coyotes unless one is found to be involved in a bite to a human. REMEMBER http://www.aaarf.org/coyote.htm. al 39dd Anmfrr 17.gg1 /ctT'' 12/29/2001 QQ:QT TQQ7/Q!- /7.T Mercy •CrUSacle inc.: coyote Ater agcc.vic. Treat the coyote as you would any wild animal, do not attempt to capture, feed, or make "friends" with it. If you observe any coyote attacking a pet or observe any person coaxing an animal into their vehicle or possession, get a description of the person and/or vehicle and call 911, your local police or Animal Control. Pet Care and Tips Last updated 09/14/98 15:00:01 http://www.aaarf_org/coyote_htm :? kJ ..9t/f-1 ©5 12/29/2001 .nm4n /7QQ//COTC QO!OT T007 /Or /7 T ..^._. Animal Care Services: Wi1dh•*p lniormatlon on Uoyotes rage 1 oI Wildlife Information on Coyotes Animal Care Services 1 • -" Heatth Care Agency Regulatory Health Animal Care Services (714) 935-6943 Ctr. (714) 935-6300 U. HeaIth,LCJ AgeflCV I'' (luf)sy Hea#Ib Many residents of Orange County are expressing concern about coyote sightings and the consequences of predator animals within the urban environment. Several residents have lost their pets to these skilled hunters because many are not aware of recent coyote activity in the area. Coyotes are found in ALL areas of Orange County. Contrary to popular belief, these animals do not require open space or "wild areas" to survive. In fact, most coyotes within the urban setting are the offspring of generations of coyotes who lived and flourished in the urban areas of Orange County. Though these animals are far from domesticated, they are very comfortable living in close proximity to human beings. They have little fear of man and are frequently seen trotting along within a few feet of joggers, bikers and horseback riders. While not normally a danger to human beings, coyotes will display defensive behaviors if threatened or comered, therefore, it is important to leave a comfortable distance between you and a coyote. Small pets can easily become coyote prey. Cats and small dogs should not be allowed outside alone, even in a fenced yard. It is highly recommended that small pets always be accompanied by their owner. Though coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they can be observed at all hours of the day and will not pass up the opportunity for an easy meal. A dog or cat left in a backyard can be taken in a matter of moments. Many steps can be taken to protect you and your property from nuisance animals like coyotes and other wildlife. 44 Fence off animal enclosures (fully enclose if possible). • Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult. • Feed pets indoors. • Store trash In covered heavy-duty containers. • Keep yards free from potential shelter such as thick brush and weeds. • Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks. • Eliminate potential food and water sources, such as fallen fruit and standing water. If you do encounter a coyote that behaves aggressively, you have probably gotten too close to its prey or its family. Increase the "comfort zone" between http://www.oc.ca.gov/hca/regulatory/coyoteinfo.hn 12/29/2001 t' An>tgrr J700J J!COT!C 0n _OT TO07 /nc /7T • Animal Care Services: Wildlife J ,t1 rmation on coyotes agc c vi you and the coyote. A coyote behaves in a similar way as domestic dogs that are defending their territory and family. Even a fully fenced yard will not keep out a hungry, athletic coyote. These animals are extremely agile and can easily scale any residential fence: All children should be taught from a very early age that they should avoid strange animals, whether domestic or non -domestic. They should never attempt to feed a wild animal. When older children are hiking or are in parks, they should be instructed on coyote safety. Eradication and/or relocation of the urban coyote is not effective. These programs actually provide a vacuum in nature causing these animals to have even larger litters, ultimately increasing the coyote population. Practicing these defensive measures will minimize the nuisances and losses caused by urban coyotes. For more information contact: Orange County Animal Care Services (714) 935-6848 RICA Kam I AgagEsAlilay 1 DlrgctorY I all opportunitig I ACS x ©2001 Orange County Health Care Agency Send comments to HC fubl for! tion Adopt -A -Pet and Lost & found animals updated, automatically, every 30 minutes 12/29/2001 http://www.oc.ca.gov/hca/regulatory/coyoteinfo.htm 50 39tid AnKg r /7.44/ /!=LT!= 4a:PT Tl I7./r /7T DEti Utters Brochure on Lim-"; witn Lanrorma t,oyores rage e 4 RESOURCES AGENCY 4 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 4 PUBLIC AfFAIRS/CONSERVATIONED-1l01TJON Return to list of Press Releases Press Release: For Immediate Release July 9. 1998 DFG Offers Brochure on Living with California Coyotes Contact; Lorna Bernard, Wildlife Management Division, (916) 653-0991 SACRAMENTO — Co -existing with coyotes in California is the subject of a recently released four- color brochure published by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). "Living with California Coyotes" is available at any DFG office. The tri-fold brochure calls attention to the precarious balance between humans and wildlife, and how tipping the balance even just a little can have serious consequences. "Observing wild animals is one of the many benefits of living in or near wildlife habitat," the brochure states. "The experience can turn unpleasant or even dangerous, however, when well-meaning people feed wildlife. When fed by people, coyotes become unnaturally bold and the result is conflict between . coyotes and people, which too often ends in serious harm." Coyotes are found throughout California, from desert regions to mountain habitats. Coyotes are also seen commonly near urban areas. They are extremely adaptable and survive off whatever food is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, and can also kill deer and livestock. The brochure warns against feeding coyotes or leaving food out where the animals can get it. Once coyotes lose their fear of humans, they can become aggressive in their search for food. Pet owners have reported how they have lost their animals to these predators. Although relatively rare, coyote attacks on humans, especially small children, have increased in recent years. The brochure offers these safety guidelines: • Never feed a coyote: Feed pets indoors or promptly remove outdoor dishes when pets furnish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors. Also, use trash cans with lids that clamp shut, which will prevent spilling if the cans are overturned. • Clear areas near homes: Removing brush and dense weeds from around dwellings reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents, which are a primary source of food. • Protect children: Never leave small children unattended in areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even in your yard. http:-//www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news98/98073.htnal 12/29/2001 q qqti.-I invmn / 700 C n T C nn •nT Tnn7 inr,17177 JJr V V11CLJ D1U1+11111G OIL Llv w1u1 LauJuurcuu l..Uyutes ragezofs • Protect pets and livestock: It's best to keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors — they are easy and favored prey. Additionally, large dogs should be brought indoors after dark. Certain added precautions should be taken when building rabbit hutches or a chicken coop that can add safety to your livestock. • Use negative reinforcement: let coyotes know they are not welcome. Make loud noises; throw rocks, spray them with garden hoses. For everyone's safety; it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans. However, if coyote problems persist, contact your local animal control agency or county agricultural commissioner for assistance. The brochure points out that people should contact the nearest DFG office if a coyote behaves aggressively or attacks a human. If the encounter or attack occurs after business hours, call local police, county sheriff, or DFG's 24 -hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. Other DFG numbers that can be called during normal office hours include: ( 5/tom.-tvs B r---;62- Northern California Qt - 34i- 71 00 (530) 225-2300 _5-61_ Sacramento Valley/Central Sierra Nevada (916) 358-2900 • Central Coast (707) 944-5500 San Joaquin Valley/Southern Sierra Nevada (209) 222-3761 Southern California (562) 590-5132 Eastern Sierra (760) 872-1171 Return to list of Pros ek es Contact: Conservation Education; Press & Media Relations Phone: 916-653-7664 . Media IZglat4Ins ffice State of California Dept. of Fish & Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, California 95814 http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news98/98073.html 10 39Vd AnN-acr 12/29/2001 /7.44/lPIAT!= QPNAT 11AP7/pc/7.T DECEMBER 19, 2001 City 4 Rolling JIilla JVewaletter MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Thomas F. Heinsheimer Frank E. Hill Allen Lay Jody Murdock Godfrey Pernell Happy Holidays! and iy • Happy New Year! ' Members of the Rolling Hills City Council and Staff wish all Rolling Hills residents a safe and happy Holiday Season. City Hall will be closed in observance of the Holidays on Monday, December 24", Tuesday, December 25th and Tuesday, January P. MEETING SCHEDULE Listed below are the schedules for the regular meetings 1 ,f the Rolling Hills City Council, Planning 1 commission, Traffic Commission and Wildlife Preservation Committee: 1 ► City Council (2"d and 4`h Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m.) ► Planning Commission (3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.) ► Traffic Commission (4fh Thursday every other month at 8:30 a.m.) ► Wildlife Preservation Committee (3'd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.) All of these meetings take place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and they are open to the public. All residents are invited to attend. If you have any 1 questions regarding these meetings, please call City 1 Hall at 377-1521. • RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE Beginning December 26th through January 15th To participate, place your tree, with decorations and stands removed, next to your yard waste and BFI will transport it to a facility where it will be used for mulch, compost, and landfill cover. Flocked trees and trees coated with fire retardant will be accepted. Please cut trees over six feet in half. Do not place trees in plastic bags. If you have any questions, please contact BFI's customer Service Department at 1-888-742-5234 or City Hall at 377-1521. CITY ADOPTS EXTERIOR LIGHTING STANDARDS ks mentioned in previous Newsletters, the City Council las adopted an exterior lighting ordinance that is lesigned to retain and enhance the rural environment :haracterized by the natural light and lack of artificial .ight in the City. Nighttime darkness in the City :ontributes significantly to the tranquil rural nvironment and creates a more natural setting for wildlife and thereby enhances the quality of life and adds to property values. The purpose of the ordinance .s to provide that excessive light does not spill onto neighboring properties, easements and roadways. 56) Issue No. 01-24 The ordinance provides that lighting is permitted to illuminate porches and entryways into buildings. However, bulbs for such lighting shall be non -reflective and shall not exceed the wattage of a 40 watt incandescent light bulb to a maximum of 400 lumens or their equivalent if non -incandescent lighting is used. All properties in the City of Rolling Hills must come into compliance with the exterior lighting ordinance within one year of the date of adoption. Therefore, properties must come into compliance by the end of April, 2002. If you have questions or concerns, please contact City Hall at 377-1521. • PEST DAMAGE A Rolling Hills resident recently experienced almost $5,000 worth of damage to his vehicle caused by rats or mice. Apparently, the rodents routinely entered the engine compartment of his vehicle in search of a warm place to rest. While in the vehicle, they damaged a great deal of the wiring and other systems in the engine compartment. It is suggested that residents use traps in their garages if they observe rats or mice in the area. DOG BARKING CAN BE A NUISANCE It is common for people to allow their dogs to sleep outdoors. Please make sure that your dog is not barking in a manner which creates a nuisance for your neighbors. THANK YOU! SMALL PET SAFETY We have been receiving periodic reports of coyote sightings in the .City. Further, we have had a few reports of missing cats in the City. Coyotes prey upon small domestic pets. Therefore, you should take appropriate caution in the care of your small domestic pets and keethem indoors. r—Y-Tn-4 Are Cordially Invited to Attend; The Rolling Hills Women's Club ;l Installation Luncheon January 9th at 10:30 a.m. Restaurant Christine Please mail your $27 reservation check to c. Sheri Gill, 31 Chuckwagon Road, RH. 3 UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS Wildlife Preservation Committee 1/7/02 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting 1/14/02 and 1/28/02 at 7:30 p.m. Planning Commisaion Meeting 1/15/02 at 7:30 p.m. Traffic Commission Meeting 1/24/02 at 8:30 a.m. BULLETIN BOARD FOR SALE: New cedar sauna, $2,000, call 377.3765. FOR SALE: Antique oak roll-top desk, call 377-3518. FOR SALE: Country French dinning room set, 3 leaf table with 10 chairs, excellent condition. CaI1 544-2211. WANTED: Rental of garage space for small sports car, call 377- 1636.