Calabasas Moves to Coexist with Coyotes

CWC invited to consult on how to be more coyote-friendly.

California Wildlife Center is proud to be assisting the City of Calabasas Environmental Commission on the development of a Coyote Management Plan that will focus on education and peaceful coexistence.

Here's an excerpt from the article in The Acorn on the recent Commission meeting.

"Food, water and shelter is really what wildlife is after, and it’s abundant in urban areas," said Cynthia Reyes, executive director of the California Wildlife Center on Piuma Road.

Offensive tactics

To reduce the potential for conflict, Reyes said people should keep all food indoors and eliminate water sources. By feeding other wildlife such as squirrels and birds, people are inadvertently attracting coyotes.

Residents living near open spaces can use motion-activated lights and noise to scare the animals away. If someone encounters a coyote on a trail, they should raise their arms and make loud noises.

People can also throw objects to scare the animals, but they should never run from a coyote because the action might trigger the animal’s predator instincts, Reyes said.

“It may be lovely to see a coyote cross the street and not paying attention, but it’s better to make loud noises to make their environment unpleasant and make them scared of humans. You need to be the predator in these situations,” she said.

Reyes also said unneutered dogs can attract coyotes.

Click on the publication names to read complete articles in The Acorn and Los Angeles Times.