Coyotes are a common sight in our residential neighborhoods these days…but a lot of myths about them persist, so it was very interesting yesterday when radio station KPCC reported on the first year of a National Park Service study of Los Angeles’ urban coyotes.
According to the story, the study turned up some “unexpected revelations,” including new insights into the animals’ obvious comfort in urban settings such as vacant lots, dense urban neighborhoods, and even crossing freeways.
“Before I started working with urban coyotes, I thought they never could live in some of the urban environments they’re moving around in,” said ecologist Justin Brown in KPCC’s story. “But they keep proving me wrong every time I turn around.”
Brown also studied how the coyotes interact with dogs in the city, reporting that he has seen at least one of them nipping at dogs’ heels even as they’re being walked on a leash.
Many of Brown’s observations seem to confirm information provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the L.A. Department of Animal Services in a town hall forum sponsored by the Buzz last fall. Brown’s study is ongoing, and we are eager to find out what else he learns as the work continues.
For more details on Brown’s coyote study, see yesterday’s KPCC story at http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/07/18/62651/first-year-of-la-s-urban-coyote-study-is-full-of-s/ , and an earlier report about the beginning of the project at http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/07/28/53404/reporter-s-notebook-to-catch-a-coyote-in-the-city/.
