Coyote Sightings On the Rise in Santa Cruz County

Fish and wildlife officials have a number of tips for avoiding dangerous interactions with coyotes in the coastal communities of Santa Cruz County, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The number of coyotes seen in the county is up recently and “it’s better to be safe than sorry,” CDFW spokesman Andrew Hughan said, although the agency does not track the number of sightings.

Coyotes typically travel to populated areas when looking for food, water or shelter. The main tip then is to remove food, water and shelter around the home, according to wildlife officials.

Otherwise, secure food, trash or compost piles and remove sources of water, wildlife officials said.

Keep food and water for pets inside.

Pick up fruit from trees and sweep up birdseed that attracts rodents, which are food for coyotes. Keep small pets inside, especially at dusk and dawn when coyotes are active most often. Keep pets on a leash when walking them and keep an eye on small children, wildlife officials said.

It’s also a good idea to remove piles of brush, wood and debris that coyotes use for cover, according to wildlife officials, or install lighting and sprinklers that are activated by motion.

If a coyote acts aggressively or approaches, officials recommend throwing rocks at the animal, making noise, looking larger and picking up pets and small children, the officials said.

“It’s never OK to feed a wild animal,” Conrad Jones, CDFW senior environmental scientists for the Bay Delta Region, said in a statement. “This can quickly turn a small problem into a larger one,” he said.

Do not turn your back to the animal, according to the officials.

Contact animal control or the CDFW if a coyote is seen near schools or playgrounds, wildlife officials said.

Call 911 if a coyote attacks.

Officials know of only one death from a coyote attack, the officials said. A girl, 3, was killed in 1981, according to wildlife officials.

Coyotes will hide in sheds, under decks, in forests and in abandoned or run-down buildings, wildlife officials said. Residents should be especially aware if they live near coyote habitat or corridors that coyotes travel in such as creeks, according to wildlife officials.

Coyotes usually fear humans but lose that fear and can become aggressive and bold if they associate humans with food, wildlife officials said. For more information on living among wildlife, visit keepmewild.com.

--Bay City News; Image via CDFW