After most of a year with almost no reports of coyote sightings on our neighborhood streets, we’re starting to hear about the animals again on local social media and in neighborhood association e-mails. In the last few weeks, coyotes have been spotted at 8th and Rimpau, the Wilshire Country Club golf course, various locations in Windsor Square, and even as far south as Longwood and Edgewood, Country Club and Victoria, and Meadowbrook and San Vicente.
As we’ve reported previously, coyotes have been in Los Angeles as long as people have (if not longer), and they have become very well adapted to the urban environment, which provides both ample food and shelter.
While coyotes may see small pets as potential food (residents are strongly advised to keep pets indoors or on leashes at all times), they are also usually as eager to avoid humans as humans are to avoid them…and it is usually fairly easy to achieve a peaceful co-existence. Also, the less appealing we make our area – the less food and shelter we provide (either intentionally or unintentionally, by leaving out pet food or unsecured garbage) – the sooner they will move on to other areas where those necessities are more plentiful.
For more tips and information on urban wildlife (including coyotes), here are links to a four-part series the Buzz ran after we sponsored a community forum on the topic last year:
Part 1 – Coyote Myths, Facts & Status
Part 2 – Wildlife Management and Prevention
Part 3 – Coyote Encounter & Hazing Tips
Part 4 – Wildlife Watch and Other Community Support
If you do see a coyote in your neighborhood, please let us know, and we’ll keep our readers informed.
