Coyote sightings increase in April

WILDLIFE

by Emma DiMaggio

emmad@lwsb.com

It’s coyote denning season, which means residents may see more of these canines around their yards between dusk and dawn.

Mutual 1 resident Denise Dena Frank saw two coyotes wandering lawns in the early morning on May 4, and she’s not alone.

In the April Security report, residents reported three coyote sightings: one near the North Gate, one in the Clubhouse 4 parking lot, and another near Mutual 14. All of the incidents occurred between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

These sightings come as no surpise: an estimated 250,000 to 750,000 coyotes call California home, and they’re quite active after mating season, which takes place from January to March.

That’s because, from March to May, coyotes give birth to their pups.

They are protective of their young during this time and will be especially territorial near their dens.

Long Beach Animal Care Services suggests the following precautions against coyotes:

• Never feed coyotes or any other wildlife.

• Keep pets and pet food inside. If feeding outside, feed pets during the day (no more than one hour) and remove the food and water bowls when finished.

• Stay close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keeping them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.

• Remove fallen fruit from the ground.

• Bag food waste such as meat scraps or leftover pet food.

• Keep trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.

• Use “hazing” techniques to shoo away coyotes, such as standing tall, yelling and waving arms while approaching the coyote; use a whistle, air horn, bell or other device; bang pots or pans together; stomp your feet; using a water hose, pepper spray, or throw tennis balls or rocks at the coyote.

• Never run away from a coyote.

To report a coyote sighting to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, visit https:// apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir/incident/ create.

If there is an immediate threat to human life related to coyotes, residents should call 911.

Residents are invited to share photos of their coyote sightings with the LW Weekly by sending them via email to emmad@lwsb.com.

Mutual 1 resident Denise Dena Frank had her first coyote sighting on May 4. She saw two coyotes wandering lawns around 8 a.m.