Agenda Date: 9/6/2022
TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Rachel Johnson, Police Chief
Andy Harrod, Acting Police Captain
Alexandria Latragna, Policy and Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
Consideration of Assessment on Coyote Population and Activity (Continued from the August 16, 2022, City Council Meeting) (Police Chief Johnson).
(Estimated Time: 45 Min.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
_________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report and discuss and provide direction on next steps, if any.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
At recent council meetings, residents have provided public comment regarding coyote sightings in Manhattan Beach and throughout the South Bay and attacks on pets. At the June 21, 2022 meeting, the Council requested that staff take prompt action to address the reports from residents.
In response to this request, staff undertook a variety of actions concerning coyote management .
These include:
· Conducted an internal meeting with representatives from the Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Public Information, Legal and Public Works to discuss current and future strategies on coyote management;
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
File Number: 22-0366
· Assigned a staff representative to coordinate the City’s response to coyotes; · Issued a press release and began a social media campaign on all platforms to educate the public on safeguards to protect pets against coyotes; · Hosted a regional meeting with a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss how interactions between humans and coyotes can be minimized (Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach Animal Control were in attendance); · Conducted a patrol of hot-spot areas in the City with the representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine where coyotes could be currently located or prone to dwell in the City;
· Liaised with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, City of Torrance and City of Arcadia to obtain information on coyote management;
· Developed and disseminated handouts with public information related to coyote management best practices; and
· Compiled data on confirmed and unconfirmed coyote sightings or attacks.
Following these efforts, City Council discussed the matter at the July 5, 2022 City Council meeting where Council directed staff to investigate and inventory the coyote population and to provide a report with findings.
After obtaining and evaluating several proposals from different consultants to provide a report, staff chose Humane Wildlife Control Incorporated, who is represented by President and CEO, Rebecca Dmytryk. The other consultants who submitted proposals did not demonstrate their experience in producing comprehensive reports such as the one requested by City Council .
Rebecca Dmytryk submitted her curriculum vitae that contained extensive professional experience and expertise in the field.
The report summarizing coyote activity produced by Humane Wildlife Control Incorporated is summarized in the discussion section of this report.
It is worth noting noted that during this time, staff has taken additional efforts regarding coyotes .
These include:
· Providing public engagement efforts concerning coyotes through the creation of a City webpage, printed handouts, public service announcements, and social media messaging. Additionally, City Staff went door to door to distribute handouts with coyote information to homes in affected areas;
· Created a GIS a map with locations where coyote sightings and confirmed/unconfirmed predation had taken place; and
· Created a GoReach category to allow the community to report sightings on the City’s GoReach app.
DISCUSSION:
Humane Wildlife Control conducted field surveys between July 27 and July 29, 2022 and produced the attached report and recommendations, which are summarized below.
Humane Wildlife Control’s Findings:
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
File Number: 22-0366
· Overflowing residential trash bins
· Open and overflowing commercial bins and dumpsters
· Open and overflowing City and park trash receptacles
· Litter
· Potential natural vertebrate prey (waterfowl, opossums, rodents, etc.) · Feral and free-roaming cats
· Harborage for coyotes (dense vegetation, subfloor vents and hatches) · Coyote sightings in Manhattan Beach
· Coyote hubs are likely in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach Humane Wildlife Control’s Recommendations:
· Replace park and street trash receptacles with wildlife-proof bins · Place additional secure trash receptacles during events, as needed · Increase litter and trash compliance at construction sites · Remind residents to secure their trash properly
· Encourage residents to report overflowing bins or litter on the City’s GoReach app · Rodent proof homes or buildings (e.g. securing buildings and clearing dense vegetation) · Adopt and enforce an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife · Adopt a feral cat management program
· Revisit the City’s policy on stray cats
· Develop a plan to discourage healthy geese from overwintering at parks · Revise and adopt the City’s internal Coyote Management Plan (attached) · Update Yard Audit checklist
· Develop a coyote sighting map
· Hold community workshops to educate public on proper hazing techniques (one was recently conducted)
Humane Wildlife Control does not recommend removal of coyotes at this time since there was no evidence that the coyotes have posed a threat to people; however, the report indicates that should the behavior of the coyotes become aggressive towards a person, Humane Wildlife Control would recommend trapping. Additionally, staff has consulted with Humane Wildlife Control for its recommendations on purchasing trail cameras to monitor coyote behaviors.
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey: Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. (August 5, 2022)
2. Manhattan Beach Coyote Management Plan
3. PowerPoint Presentation (Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.)
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
Manhattan Beach
Coyote Survey July 2022
prepared for
City of Manhattan Beach
by
Rebecca Dmytryk
8/5/2022
Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Box 65, Moss Landing CA 95039
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022
Introduction
Humane Wildlife Control Inc. was contracted by the City of Manhattan Beach to conduct a survey of the area in order to provide an estimate on the number of coyotes inhabiting Manhattan Beach, identify attractants or other conditions that could account for the recent perceived increase in coyote activity, with guidance on how to reduce the presence of coyotes in Manhattan Beach and best practices for discouraging urban wildlife and keeping pets safe.
Scope
The findings and conclusions are based on field surveys and information on coyote sightings and encounters provided by the Manhattan Beach Police Department Animal Control Division, as well as secondary desk-based research.
Findings and recommendations are based on information available at the time of writing. The author reserves the right to alter conclusions and recommendations should new information become available.
Survey Team
Field surveys were conducted by Humane Wildlife Control Inc. staff, Rebecca Dmytryk, July 27th through July 29th, 2022.
BACKGROUND
In recent months, a number of free-roaming cats have gone missing or have been found deceased with evidence of scavenging. At least one resident in the Liberty Village neighborhood (where most of the recent losses were reported) captured video of a coyote pursuing a cat on her street, indicating coyotes were actively foraging in this area. This was also the evidence used to confirm the predation. 1 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
At the June 21st City Council meeting, worried residents voiced their concerns about coyotes to the City Council, urging them to take action.
At the request of councilmembers and under the City Manager’s direction, staff proceeded quickly and, among other actions, organized an internal meeting with representatives from the Police Department and its Animal Control division, Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Public Information, Legal, and Public Works to discuss current and future strategies for managing conflicts with coyotes. The City hosted a similar regional meeting with a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss how interactions with urban coyotes can be minimized. Representatives from Hermosa Beach Community Services and Redondo Beach Animal Services attended.
Additionally, staff developed and disseminated handouts with information on coyotes, including best practices to avoid attracting coyotes. They also added a coyote sighting category to the city’s Reach Manhattan Beach app, published a dedicated web page with information on coyotes, and produced and distributed a public safety video.
At the July 5th City Council Meeting, George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager, presented an update. Two representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, biologists Rebecca Barboza and Jessica West also provided input.
The City Council agreed to direct staff to find and hire an expert to conduct an assessment of the current level of coyote activity in Manhattan Beach and provide an estimate on their numbers, with recommendations to reduce their presence.
METHODOLOGY
Field Survey
Field surveys were conducted by vehicle between July 27th and July 29th, with some pedestrian excursions at some locations.
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Desk-based & Literature Review
A variety of online resources were utilized to further assess the level of coyote activity in the region, including posts on social media sites including Facebook and Nextdoor, incidents reported on the Coyote Cacher as well as news media.
Documentation
Noteworthy conditions were documented using the Theodolite App in addition to photographs. Locations of these conditions were added to an interactive map created from Google MyMaps. An app called GPX Tracker was used to document the survey routes, including specific date and times. Images are available in a Google Photos album .
DISCUSSION
The following information is provided to help the reader better understand the significance of the findings and the reasoning behind the recommendations.
The coyote (Canis latrans) has inhabited the Los Angeles basin for tens of thousands of years, predating human occupation of the land. It co-existed alongside the first aboriginal people, Spanish colonists, and adapted over and over again to major changes in the habitat and increased human presence 1 . It is the coyote’s unique characteristics that allow it to survive, even thrive, near humans.
There are over a dozen recognized subspecies of coyote. The South Bay is home to the California valley coyote, which can typically weigh between 20 and 35 pounds - about as big as a medium-sized dog, with long legs.
Although the coyote is classified as a carnivore, coyotes are better identified as opportunistic omnivores as they eat a variety of foods including nuts and seeds, 1 Gill, Don. “The Coyote and the Sequential Occupants of the Los Angeles Basin,” American Anthropologist 72, no. 4 (1970): 821–2, accessed 7/31/22, http://www.jstor.org/stable/671658 3 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. vegetables, fruits, insects, rodents, rabbits and other small mammals, as well as carrion. In an urban setting, coyotes are attracted to bird feeders and the rodents that are attracted to the seed, compost piles, vegetable gardens and fruit trees, accessible garbage and pet food. Even so, research indicates rodents make up the bulk of the coyote diet in both urban and rural areas. 2 Being an opportunistic forager, urban coyotes have flexible hunting habits. The least habituated coyotes will try to avoid encounters with humans by exploring neighborhoods when they’re the quietest - the least amount of vehicle and or pedestrian traffic. Depending on the neighborhood, this could be day or night. In contrast, heavily habituated coyotes can be seen during the day (or night), loitering in one area, often around the same time of day. This behavior usually indicates a reliable source of anthropogenic food close by.
Coyotes are inherently afraid of people and they do not view humans as prey.
Approaching people and nipping is behavior that is learned after repeated encounters. However, coyotes will follow humans, much like the jackal (a relative of the coyote) in Africa will follow behind a lion - because the lion leads to food. It’s the same principle with the coyote. That said, a coyote following a person with a dog might involve territorial issues, or, if the coyote has learned to take cats, it could be predatory in nature, requiring “deprogramming” efforts. Habituation is reversible.
Not all coyotes prey on domestic pets. This is typically a learned behavior. However, once a coyote is successful at, for example, obtaining a cat, it will likely return to the same area to hunt again. This is why feeding feral cat colonies in residential areas is problematic for neighborhoods.
Research shows coyotes are highly-attracted to feral cat colonies - for the cat food and the many small animals it attracts, including the cats. Eliminating attractants is key to reducing the presence of coyotes and subsequently reducing risk of pet predation. According to Niamh Quinn, a Human-Wildlife Interactions Adviser with 2 “Coyote Relationship with Other Animals,” Urban Coyote Research Project, accessed 7/31/22, https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/home-ranges-individuals 4 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, “What helps is keeping coyotes from having potential food sources. In many cases, that means not leaving food out for feral cats.” 3
According to a national survey, trap-neuter-return programs acknowledged there were more cats processed and returned (set free) between 2012 and 2017 than the preceding twenty years. 4 Some speculate the persistence of coyotes and occasional increase in their numbers might be directly related to trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs.
Coyotes frequenting dense urban areas of Los Angeles is nothing new, and neither are the reasons for their intrusion. In the 1970s and ‘80s, Lila Brooks (1913-2017), founder of the California Wildlife Defenders, spent years researching the urban coyote dilemma in Los Angeles. She concluded, “The urban coyote problem was created by the people, not the animal, therefore, restrictive measures have to be directed at the people and not the coyotes.” 5 The current Los Angeles County ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife is based on Ms. Brooks’ work.
Wildlife sightings in urban settings indicate a reliable food or water resource. Justin Brown, a biologist with the National Park Service suggests that if people are encountering coyotes in a residential area, “they're coming into your neighborhood for a reason. There's some sort of resource they're finding." 6 6 Ryan Fonesca, "To Unlock the Secrets of Urban Coyotes, Biologists Turn to Poop,” LAIST, Los Angeles, CA 3/25/19, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-11-23-me-12481-story.html 5 Eric Bailey, "The coyote that has been wined and dined has lost its fear of humans. Coyotes have to be made afraid of humans and turned back into the hills,” Los Angeles Times, 11/23/1986 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-11-23-me-12481-story.html 4 Merritt Clifton, "Are Southern California coyotes eating 68% fewer cats than 20 years ago?”, Animals 24-7, 3/29/18, https://www.animals24-7.org/2018/03/29/are-southern-california-coyotes-eating-68-fewer-cats-than-20-years-ago (accessed 7-31-22)
3 David Mendez,“People and Pets Contend With Urban Coyotes in Los Angeles,” Spectrum News, Redondo Beach, CA, 12/16/20 https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/public-safety/2020/12/16/contending-with-urban-coyotes-in-los-angeles 5 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
According to Brown, people need to realize that their actions are responsible for drawing coyotes into their neighborhoods and that “we need to be dealing with that situation if we don't want them there." 7
For decades, experts have suspected a strong connection between anthropogenic food resources and the presence of coyotes in urban areas, suggesting that reducing food resources would reduce the presence of coyotes in an urban landscape. Finally, in 2004, a study involving radio-collared coyotes confirmed the theory. Researchers documented a dramatic decrease in coyote traffic across an entire neighborhood when two major sources of food were removed. 8 Authorities agree, the two most important strategies to reduce the presence of coyotes in urban areas and prevent habituation, are education of the public on what attracts coyotes and how to deter them, and ordinances prohibiting the feeding of wildlife or otherwise attracting wildlife, including the handling of refuse. 9 Reducing food resources might not only reduce the number of individual coyotes in an area, but possibly reduce the number of family units, or packs, due to the unique social characteristics of the coyote.
A coyote’s home range refers to the area in which they travel and forage for resources. Home ranges of coyotes can overlap. A territory is a portion within the home range that is defended from other coyotes. 10
Solitary coyotes, also referred to as transients, do not belong to a pack. They can travel great distances and have large home ranges but do not defend a territory. 10 “Home Ranges of Individuals,” Urban Coyote Research Project, https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/home-ranges-individuals (accessed 7/31/22) 9 Baker, Rex O. and Timm, Robert M. (2017) "Coyote Attacks on Humans, 1970-2015: Implications for Reducing the Risks," Human–Wildlife Interactions : Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 3. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol11/iss2/3 8 Derek Gomes, "Study finds food source major draw for coyotes,” Newport Daily News, Newport, RI 7/19/19, https://www.newportri.com/story/news/local/2019/07/17/want-to-keep-coyotes-away-dont-make-food-available-to-them-on-a quidneck-island/4671343007
7 Fonesca, "To Unlock the Secrets of Urban Coyotes, Biologists Turn to Poop.” 6 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Pack coyotes, also known as resident coyotes, defend territories. Territories can be less than 2 square miles. 11
A family unit, or pack, consists of an alpha pair, and often one or two subordinate helpers (usually older offspring), as well as the pups of the year. The total number of individuals in a pack fluctuates depending on the time of year and age of the pack’s members.
Pups are born in early spring. The female will give birth and nurse her pups in a sheltered area, referred to as a den. After they are about six weeks old they start to explore outside of their den and by the end of summer they are more independent and might begin to disperse from the pack to become transients for a period of time, or, depending on the pack’s dynamics, they might remain as a helper.
Coyotes are absolutely monogamous - until death do they part 12 , and about 95% of the time only the alpha pair reproduce. Other female members of the pack remain behaviorally sterile 13 . This unique social hierarchy of the coyote has profound implications when lethal measures are used to manage their numbers.
Simply put, when either (or both) the “King” or “Queen” is removed, the social structure of the pack collapses and the kingdom - the territory - is then “up for grabs”. Immigration is immediate, either from local transient coyotes or neighboring packs, or betas, quickly replacing the reproductive male and or female. 14 Therefore, no long term change in population should be expected. 14 “Crabtree Letter on Coyotes,” The Wildlife News, accessed 7/31/22, https://www.thewildlifenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Crabtrees-Letter-on-Coyotes.pdf 13 Dr. Robert L. Crabtree, “Crabtree Letter on Coyotes,” The Wildlife News, https://www.thewildlifenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Crabtrees-Letter-on-Coyotes.pdf (accessed 7/31/22) 12 Ohio State University. "Urban coyotes never stray: New study finds 100 percent monogamy," ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120925142549.htm (accessed 7/31/22) 11 “Home Ranges of Individuals,” Urban Coyote Research Project, (accessed 7/31/22) https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/home-ranges-individuals 7 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Coyotes evolved special adaptations allowing them to recolonize quickly and for this reason efforts to control their numbers by lethal means are not successful, as researcher Niamh Quinn has explained, “When you start to lethally control coyotes, all you get is coyotes from other areas.” 15
Possibly the most recent example of this phenomenon can be seen in the City of Torrance, where the City’s ongoing efforts to eliminate coyotes by lethal means does not appear to be reducing the presence of coyotes. 16 Results from its 3-year campaign suggest there has been no significant decrease in the population and could actually be counterproductive.
Research suggests removal of coyotes can increase the number of individuals in an area, pointing to the potential for the next litter of pups to survive to adulthood due to a surplus in food from there being fewer adults. These pups could be recruited to stay on as helpers when they are mature, which means within a year or so, the population could be back to where it was originally. Additionally, ongoing lethal control can result in an area’s packs being skewed towards younger, more productively fit individuals. 17
What has proven effective, is removal of the food resources that attract and support coyotes in an urban environment. This includes, pet food, birdseed, compost, accessible garbage, fruits and berries, free-roaming chickens, and free-roaming cats. The presence of coyotes can be reduced by reducing their food, and the behavior of coyotes can be changed when humans change their behavior. 18 18 David Gregg and Jo Yellis, "Coyote study comes to Providence,” Providence Journal, Providence RI, 9/21/20, https://www.providencejournal.com/story/opinion/2020/09/21/opiniongregg-and-yellis-coyote-study-comes-to-providence/11 4108810/
17 “Crabtree Letter on Coyotes,” The Wildlife News,
https://www.thewildlifenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Crabtrees-Letter-on-Coyotes.pdf , (accessed July 31, 2022). 16 City of Torrance, Coyote Management Program Report October 11, 2021 - March 31, 2022, Community Services Dept., 4,7, 2022, https://torrance.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=8&clip_id=13954&meta_id=341066 (accessed 7/31/22)
15 “People and Pets Contend With Urban Coyotes in Los Angeles,” Spectrum News, (accessed July 31, 2022) https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/public-safety/2020/12/16/contending-with-urban-coyotes-in-los-angeles 8 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Controlling the presence of wildlife in a given area by controlling the food on which they depend is one of the fundamental principles of Integrated Pest Management.
It is a simple and effective strategy to control the presence of vertebrate wildlife, from mice to mountain lions.
FINDINGS
Findings: Coyote Attractants and Conducive Conditions
● Overflowing residential trash bins
The survey was purposefully conducted on refuse and recycling collection days, when residential bins would be the fullest. We found a number of bins open, their lids up and overflowing. We documented a very small percentage of the ones observed.
● Open and overflowing commercial bins and dumpsters
We found a number of commercial bins open or without lids, and full of what appeared to be a mix of trash, food waste and construction debris. We found these at construction sites as well as commercial operations throughout the city. 9 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. ● Open and overflowing city and park trash receptacles
We documented open (no lid) trash bins and overflowing receptacles at parks and subsequently a fair amount of litter.
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. ● Litter
As mentioned above, we observed a fair amount of litter in areas where trash receptacles were overflowing or had open or missing lids. We also noted some discarded food and food and drink containers.
Potential natural vertebrate prey
- Waterfowl. The Canada geese and waterfowl at Polliwog Park may provide some food for coyotes.
- Mesopredators. We noted 3 deceased small to medium sized hit-by-car opossums while conducting our survey.
- Rodents, including gophers, voles, rats and mice. Likely plentiful. ● Feral and free-roaming cats
We were advised of a number of locations where there has been ongoing feeding of feral cats. While we did not observe feeding bowls or dishes or piles of cat food, nor did we see many free-roaming cats while conducting the survey, we did discover a young abandoned kitten at one of the city’s parks where there was recent coyote activity. The kitten was contained and later adopted to an indoor-only home. 11 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Additionally, we met with one of the residents in Liberty Village who recently lost a cat to a coyote, and was informed on the history of some of the cats on the block.
Many had been part of a colony of feral cats that a neighbor had cared for. When she moved away, the cats were left behind. Residents began feeding the cats, referring to one location as a homeless cat encampment. In April, cats in the neighborhood started to go missing or were found dead and partially eaten. ● Harborage
We noted very few areas where dense vegetation could contribute to the presence of coyotes. Even the Veterans Parkway green belt was nicely manicured. We did, however, observe a couple of places - structures - with openings that could attract mesopredators including coyotes.
Findings: Coyote Activity
Aided by the Police Department’s Animal Control records, conversations with locals and online accounts of observations, we were able to identify areas of activity. We surveyed these “hot spots” at various times of the day and night and concluded the coyotes are likely visiting the neighborhoods late night until dusk. This theory was supported by an observation of an adult coyote crossing Artesia Blvd into Redondo Beach at 05:45 on July 29th.
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Working off map and survey of the area at various times of day and night we identified zones that coyotes might use to navigate through the urban landscape.
Places that experience comparatively low vehicle and pedestrian traffic. These are identified on the Map as “hubs”.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on what we observed during the survey and accounts of coyote activity, we feel confident there are no coyotes currently residing within the city limits of Manhattan Beach.
Instead, we believe there is one family unit consisting of a mated pair and their pups of the year, residing, or at least originating from hubs within Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, specifically Valley Park, where pups were reportedly observed in 2020, South Park, where pups had been reportedly seen in late May, 2022, and Wylie Sump. There may be one, possibly two additional adult members of the pack, but based on sightings and conversations with locals we believe this is unlikely.
Based on reported sightings and descriptions, we believe one of the members of this pack, possibly the alpha female ( the “queen”), has an old injury, as it favors its left rear leg. There are reports of a coyote lying down, resting, which we believe might be this particular coyote. If we’re correct, this individual has been seen as far north as the MBS studios and as far south as South Park in Hermosa Beach, which helps piece together the home range of this pack.
Alternatively, there could be two packs residing south of Manhattan Beach, sharing a home range. More accurate profiling would require surveys in these cities.
Regardless of the social dynamics, we estimate 2 to 4 adult coyotes frequent the southeast portion of Manhattan Beach from Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Again, based on reported sightings, we also believe there is either an additional pack or transients entering Manhattan Beach from the north, crossing Rosecrans 13 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. and traveling through Sand Dune Park and navigating the residential neighborhoods east of the park where we were told cats were being fed. We speculate 2 to 3 adults accessing Manhattan Beach from the north.
In total, we believe the city may be visited by 2 to 4 adult coyotes on a daily basis - not all at once, and they are primarily active in the city from late night to early morning.
Coyotes are highly attracted to feral cat feeding sites - for the cat food, the cats, and the other animals that are attracted to the area. When feral cats are fed in a residential area, coyotes will be drawn into those neighborhoods, placing free-roaming cats and small pets at risk. It was not surprising to find the concentration of coyote sightings and the one confirmed cat predation in Manhattan Beach in the vicinity of a known feral cat feeding site.
We conclude the primary attractant - what has drawn, and will continue to lure coyotes into residential areas of Manhattan Beach, are feral cats and the food they are provided.
Secondly, the prevalence of accessible garbage, which attracts and supports rats and mice and medium-sized mammals, might also be responsible for attracting coyotes into the city.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Reduce Attractants
Overall, reducing anthropogenic (human related) food resources should result in fewer coyote sightings and encounters, overall, as the coyotes shift back to their natural diet and natural behavior. This improvement in coyote behavior, though, requires improvement in human behavior. 19
19 Ryan Gibbs, “Coyote expert says improved human behavior is evident,” Jamestown Press, Jamestown, RI 10/7/21 https://www.jamestownpress.com/articles/coyote-expert-says-improved-human-behavior-is-evident/ 14 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
Significant attractants should be addressed, like litter and garbage. We recommend the City increase attention on sanitation to reduce the accessibility of food by wildlife including rodents, crows, gulls and medium-sized mammals including coyotes. For example, in 2016 the Los Angeles Animal Services proposed changes to trash receptacles as part of its coyote management program. 20 Our suggestions include:
- Replace park and street trash receptacles with wildlife-proof bins - Place additional secure trash receptacles during events as needed - Work with Code Enforcement on compliance issues at construction sites - Remind residents to secure their trash properly
- Encourage residents to report overflowing bins or litter on the Reach MB app In addition to the above suggestions, we recommend reducing available food and shelter opportunities for mice and rats and other animals, which should reduce their presence and, in turn, the presence of coyotes.
Our suggestions include:
- Encourage businesses and homeowners to make sure their properties do not attract and support rodents or medium-sized mammals. For example, making sure their home or building is rodent-proofed and all subfloor vents and access hatches are secure, that there are no hiding places, and that any dense vegetation is cleared or thinned. Perhaps this could be delivered through an educational publication or a web page.
- Adopt and enforce an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife (with exceptions) to discourage people from attracting wild animals into residential neighborhoods.
20 City of Los Angele, Report Back on Coyote Management Program, June 24, 2016, Los Angeles Animal Services Dept., http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-0585_rpt_DAS_06-24-2016.pdf (accessed 8/9/22) 15 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. - Adopt a Feral Cat Management Program similar to the TENVAC plan (Trap, Evaluate, Neuter, Vaccinate, Adopt, Contain) where feral cat colonies are registered with the City, and monitored. This type of program encourages responsible pet ownership and discourages abandonment, it helps ensure stray cats receive the best care possible while increasing public safety and reducing risk to pets and the environment.
The TENVAC plan for maintaining feral cat colonies includes the following suggestions which can be modified to meet the needs of Manhattan Beach.
1. All cats must test negative for FIV and Feline leukemia.
2. All cats must be sterilized.
3. All cats must be vaccinated for Rabies as required and be kept current.
4. All cats must be microchipped and registered to an owner or rescue.
5. All cats must be treated annually for internal parasites that pose a zoonotic risk to humans, domestic animals and wildlife.
6. Feral cat colonies sanctioned by the City cannot be maintained in close proximity to schools, human food sources (groceries, restaurants, etc), daycare centers or hospitals, public parklands or environmentally sensitive areas.
7. Any kittens and newcomers shall be immediately removed and adopted/fostered/contained.
8. All feeding must be completed while the caregiver is present, and then ALL food removed, along with all visible fecal matter and food remains.
9. All managed colonies shall be appropriately licensed, new colony establishment is strictly forbidden, and the managed colony program shall be phased out over a 5 year period of time.
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
10. All managed colonies shall have the permission of all adjacent land owners, and any property owners within 1000 feet of the colony location. - Revisit the City’s current policy on stray cats, as currently the City only accepts sick and or injured stray cats, not healthy ones. Abandoned cats that are able to reproduce can lead to more cats in a short period of time. - Develop a plan to discourage healthy geese from overwintering at parks.
Build on the City’s Coyote Response Strategy
- Adopt a strategic plan to respond to various levels of coyote behavior (a Coyote Management Plan) based on the most current data and best practices. This may require development and maintenance of a coyote response team, trained in proper aversion conditioning (hazing). 21 - Update Yard Audit checklist to include any new and relevant information. - Offer educational webinars and or workshops on living with coyotes. - Consider developing a coyote sighting map specifically for Manhattan Beach.
Coyote Trapping and Removal
We do not recommend removal of any coyotes at this time because they do not appear to be exhibiting abnormal behavior or behavior that could be constituted as aggression towards humans. The single coyote we encountered was extremely wary and skittish and in no way a threat to human safety. 21 Sampson, Lesley and Van Patter, Lauren, "Advancing Best Practices for Aversion Conditioning (Humane Hazing) to Mitigate Human–Coyote Conflicts in Urban Areas," Human–Wildlife Interactions 14, no. 2, Article 7, 2020 https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol14/iss2/7
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
The humane lethal removal of a coyote should be considered only in the event of an unprovoked, confirmed attack on a person or where a coyote has been determined to be sick or mortally wounded. The removal should focus on the individual coyote(s) only, which will require significant investigative efforts by a qualified expert to ensure the correct animal(s) is removed.
The reason we do not recommend the City use lethal measures to reduce the presence of coyotes in Manhattan Beach is because this strategy, to the best of our knowledge, has never been successful and can actually, surprisingly, result in an increase in individuals.
This short video clip Coyote Troubles… Why not just shoot them? explains the dynamics behind the coyotes’ unique ability to quickly recolonize in response to exploitation.
Coyotes have been and always will be a part of the area’s landscape. It comes down to people being educated about these animals and understanding what to do and what not to do, so both humans and coyotes can coexist in relative harmony.
While some may suggest lethal control as a means of reducing coyotes in urban areas, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of such measures.
However, the intent - to see few if any coyotes in residential neighborhoods, is a common goal. We feel confident Manhattan Beach can achieve this objective by taking the actions recommended above.
In closing, we are available to assist the City in producing educational publications, as well as helping develop a comprehensive feral cat management program and drafting a no-feeding wildlife ordinance. We are also available to assist with investigating reports of aggressive coyotes and subsequent removal of individuals, if warranted.
18 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 19 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 20 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 21 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 22 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
CURRICULUM VITAE
REBECCA DMYTRYK
Box 65, Moss Landing CA 95039
PERSONAL DATA
Date of Birth: 11-18-1961
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
Interests: Wildlife, ecology, ethology, photography, art, journalism.
FORMAL EDUCATION
Pierce College, 1984: Field of study: Biology
University of California, Los Angeles, 1983: Animal Behavior, Observing Animal Behavior, Course Diploma, Public High School, Agoura, California, 1978: Biology, Herpetology, Photography
PRESENT VOCATIONS AND POSITIONS
President and CEO, National Association for Wildlife Emergency Services (nonprofit) Founding Officer, Board Member, Humane Wildlife Control Association (trade association) CEO, Humane Wildlife Control Inc. (corporation)
Voice Talent
Author
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS AND EMPLOYMENT
2013 to present: Founder, President, CEO, National Association for Wildlife Emergency Svcs 2013 to present: Founder, Board Member, Humane Wildlife Control Association 2012 to present: Owner, CEO Humane Wildlife Control Inc, Moss Landing, CA 2000 to 2020: Director and Officer, EarthWays Foundation, Malibu, CA 2007 to 2015: Owner, Carmel Canines Mobile Pet Services, Moss Landing, CA 2000 to 2013: Founder, Director, WildRescue, a project of EarthWays Foundation 2002 to 2003: Board Member, California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators 1996 to 2002: Founder, President and CEO, The California Wildlife Center 1990 to 2011: International Bird Rescue Oiled Wildlife Response Team, CA 1992: Secretary and Treasurer, International Center for Gibbon Studies, Saugus, CA 1991 - 1993: Co-Founder, Vice President, Marine & Mountain Wildlife Rescue, Malibu, CA 1986 to 2007: Owner/Operator, Malibu Mobile Pet Services, Malibu CA 1985: Secretary, Marine Wildlife Rescue Station, Agoura, CA 1980 to 1982: Co-Founder, Animal Rescue Care Center, Thousand Oaks, CA 23 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc.
MUNICIPAL, GOVERNMENT & CORPORATE APPOINTMENTS, CONTRACTS, ACCOUNTS 2022 to present: Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, after hours response, Santa Cruz, CA 2016 - present: San Jose Unified School District, wildlife control, San Jose, CA 2014 - present: Pajaro Valley Unified School District, wildlife control, Watsonville, CA 2013 - present: Elkhorn Slough Foundation, misc wildlife, Royal Oaks, CA 2022: City of Watsonville, coyote control, Watsonville Airport, Watsonville, CA 2022: University of California Santa Cruz, mesopredator consulting, Santa Cruz, CA 2021: City of Monterey, Presidio of Monterey, wildlife control, Monterey, CA 2020: Santa Cruz County, Court House, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2019: Edwards Air Force Base, wildlife control, Edwards Air Force Base, CA 2019: California State Parks, Wilder Ranch, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2018: Santa Cruz County, Court House, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2019: California State Parks, Monterey Historic Parks, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2018: Talk: Living With Urban Coyotes, hosted by the City of San Gabriel, CA 2018: Talk: Living With Wildlife , hosted by the City of Hidden Hills, CA 2018: Talk: Living With Wildlife , hosted by the City of Arroyo Grande, CA 2018: California State Parks, Point Lobos, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2017: PG&E, site 108404, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2017: Talk: Living with Urban Coyotes , hosted by Councilman Chappi Jones, San Jose, CA 2015 to 2018: CA Dept Fish and Wildlife, Predator Policy Workgroup, CA 2016: Talk: Living with Urban Coyotes , hosted by Councilman Tim Goodrich, Torrance, CA 2015: PG&E, Point Moretti Substation, wildlife control, Santa Cruz, CA 2015: Talk: Living With Urban Coyotes , sponsored by Long Beach Animal Control, Long Beach, CA 2012: City of Monterey, Building 637, wildlife control, Monterey, CA 2002 to 2004: CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Wildlife Rehabilitation Committee, CA 1998 - 2000: California State Parks, land lease agreement, Calabasas, CA 1996 - 2000 Marine Mammal Response, contract, City of Malibu, CA 1987: Animal Control Officer, Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control , Agoura, CA 1983 - 1989: Reserve Officer, Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, Agoura CA
SPECIAL TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
2022: Advanced Wildlife Control Operator Training, Ntl Wildlife Control Operators Assn 2022: Wildlife Control Operator Training, National Wildlife Control Operators Assn 2021: Coyote Workshop, Fish and Game Commission, Webinar 2021: Vertebrate Pest Council Workshop, Vertebrate Pest Council, Webinar 2020: Vertebrate Pest Conference, Vertebrate Pest Council, Santa Barbara, CA 2019: Vertebrate Pest Council Workshop, Vertebrate Pest Council, Sacramento, CA 2019: Rodents I - Behavior and Tracking, EPA Center for IPM, Webinar 2017: The Wildlife Society / Int’l Urban Wildlife Conference, San Diego, CA 2016: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium, Fresno, CA 24 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 2013: Nuisance Wildlife Trapping Webinar, State Humane Assn. of California 2013: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Murfreesboro, TN 2013: Nuisance Wildlife Trapping, webinar presented by State Humane Association. 2013: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Portland, OR 2012: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium Yosemite, CA 2012: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Baton Rouge, LA 2011: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2010: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Bellevue, WA 2009: Effects of Oil on Wildlife, Tallinn, Estonia
2008: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Napa, CA 2007: Effects of Oil on Wildlife conference, hosted by OWCN & IBRRC, Monterey, CA 2007: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Rehabilitator’s Certification 2004: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Portland, OR 2003: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Chicago, IL 2003: Effects of Oil on Wildlife conference, hosted by IFAW & IBRRC, Hamburg, Germany 2003: 24 Hours HAZWOPER, Hazard Communication Course 1001, San Luis Obispo, CA 2002: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium, San Diego, CA 2002: ATV Safety Institute Rider Course, Rancho Cordova, CA 2002: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, St. Louis , MO 2001: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Orlando, FL 2001: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual conference, Fremont, CA 2001: Oiled Wildlife Care Network Advanced Training, San Pedro, CA 2001: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Lake Tahoe, NV 2000: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Montreal, Quebec 2000: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium, Newport Beach, CA 1999: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council annual symposium, Tucson, AZ 1999: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium, Sacramento, CA 1998: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Seattle, WA 1998: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual symposium, San Rafael, CA 1998: Bird Deterrence Workshop by USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Sacramento, CA 1997: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators annual conference, Morro Bay, CA 1995: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Basic Skills, Klamath Falls, OR 1995: 40 hours HAZWOPER training, Seattle, WA
1994: 24 hours HAZWOPER training, Department of Fish and Wildlife-OSPR. 1993: 16 hours OSHA / Post Emergency Oil Spill Response Training 1993: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association annual symposium, Sacramento, CA 1991 - 1993: Volunteer position with the International Bird Rescue and Research Center 1992 - 1993: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA - Extensive hands-on training 1992: Shelter Management and Operations, Disaster Preparedness, Wildlife Handling , American Humane Association Conference, San Diego, CA
1992: UC Davis Wildlife Health, Oil Spill and Wildlife Emergency Response Conference. 25 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 1986: Handling of Exotics , Los Angeles SPCA
PERMITS LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
2020 to present: QualityPro / GreenPro Certification (for Humane Wildlife Control Inc.), NPMA 2015 to present: Pest Control License issued by California Dept. of Pesticide Regulation 2015 to present: Dept. of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicators License 135684 2013 to present: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Special Purpose Education/Salvage MB05124B 2012 to present: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rehabilitation MB794662 2011 to 2012: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Special Purpose Relocate MB38756A 2007: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification 1994 to present: 24-Hour HAZWOPER Certification
2004 - 2008: NOAA NMFS Marine Mammal Stranding (Malibu) 2000 - present: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Special Purpose MB794662 1998: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rehabilitation (The California Wildlife Center) 1998: California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Rehabilitation (The California Wildlife Center) 1994 - 1998: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Special Purpose (individual permit) 1989 - 1995: California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Rehabilitation (individual permit) 1981: California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Rehabilitation (Animal Rescue Care Center)
CONFERENCE ACTIVITY AND PARTICIPATION
TALKS, WORKSHOPS TRAININGS AND PAPERS PRESENTED
2022: Responding to Wildlife Emergencies, CalAnimal, NACA sponsored (online) 2020: Wildlife Search & Rescue , Wetlands & Wildlife, Huntington Beach, CA 2020: Holistic Solutions for Nuisance Wildlife, Poster, Vert Pest Conf, Santa Barbara, CA 2020: Barn Owl Nest Box Construction, Poster, Vert Pest Conf, Santa Barbara, CA 2020: CO for Control of Ground Squirrels and Gophers, Vert Pest Conf, Santa Barbara, CA 2020: Holistic Solutions for Nuisance Wildlife, PAPA Seminar, Napa, CA 2019: Holistic Solutions for Nuisance Wildlife, PAPA Seminar, Sacramento, CA 2019: No-Poison Rodent Control , Ntl Environmental Health Assn P.E.S.T. conf. (online) 2019: Use of Carbon Monoxide to Control Ground Squirrels , NEHA P.E.S.T. conf. (online) 2019: Barn Owls for Natural Rodent Control, EPA Center for IPM (online) 2019: Use of Carbon Monoxide to Control Ground Squirrels , PAPA Seminar, Salinas, CA 2019: Barn Owls for Natural Rodent Control, Marina Garden Club, Marina, CA 2019: Answering the Call of the Wild , CA Animal Welfare Assn conference, San Jose, CA 2019: Exclusion and Eviction of Mammals and Birds, PAPA Seminar, Anaheim, CA 2019: Use of Carbon Monoxide to Control Ground Squirrels , PAPA Seminar, Anaheim, CA 2019: No-Poison Rodent Control , PAPA Seminar, Stockton, CA 2018: Rodent Exclusion and Eviction , AgSafe Seminar, Fresno, CA 2018: Exclusion and Eviction in Vertebrate Pest Control, PAPA Seminar, Anaheim, CA 2018: Rodent Exclusion and Eviction, PAPA Seminar, Napa, CA 2018: Exclusion and Eviction in Vertebrate Pest Control, PAPA Seminar, Santa Maria, CA 26 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 2018: Using Barn Owls to Control Rodents Naturally, PAPA Seminar, Santa Maria, CA 2018: Using Barn Owls to Control Rodents Naturally , PAPA Seminar, Modesto, CA 2018: Commensal Rodent Eviction and Exclusion , PAPA Seminar, Modesto, CA 2018: Using Barn Owls to Control Rodents Naturally , PAPA Seminar, Anaheim, CA 2018: Ethical Wildlife Control , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Anaheim, CA 2017: Making a Killing Without Killing , Wildlife Society Inl. Urban Wildlife Conf. San Diego, CA 2016: Wildlife Search & Rescue , California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators, Fresno, CA 2016: Wildlife Search & Rescue , Clovis Police Department, Clovis CA 2016: Making a Killing Without Killing, Vertebrate Pest Conference, Newport Beach, CA 2015: Living Among Carnivores, California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators, Sacramento, CA 2015: Making a Killing , California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators, Sacramento, CA 2015: Wildlife SAR Fundamentals , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Princeton, NJ 2015: Tips on Capturing Flighted Birds , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Princeton, NJ 2013: Wildlife Capture and Handling , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Portland, OR 2013: Reuniting Wildlife , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Portland, OR 2012: Reuniting and Wild-Fostering , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Baton Rouge, LA 2012: Reuniting Wild Birds , California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators, Yosemite, CA 2011: Reuniting Raptors , International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2010: Reuniting, Re-nesting and Wild-Fostering , Panel,NWRA, Bellevue, WA 2009: Oiled Wildlife Capture Techniques Workshop, Effects of Oil on Wildlife, Tallinn, Estonia. 2009: Oiled Wildlife Handling, Transport, First Aid, Effects of Oil on Wildlife, Tallinn, Estonia 2008: Reuniting Young , Panel, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Napa, CA 2007: Avian Capture Techniques , Effects of Oil on Wildlife, Monterey, CA 2003: Wildlife Capture Techniques , International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Portland, OR 2003: On The Write Track , International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Portland, OR 2003: Shape Shifting, Spinning, and the Art of Hotline Operations , IWRC, Chicago, IL 2003: Avian Capture Techniques , Effects Of Oil on Wildlife, Hamburg, Germany 2002: Training Agency Personnel , National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, St. Louis, MO 2001: On The Write Track , International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Orlando, FL 2001: Emergency Response for Veterinarians, and Agency Personnel , IWRC, Orlando, FL 2001: Rehab and the Wildlife Paramedic – Saving Lives , CCWR, Fremont, CA 2001: Wildlife Emergency Response , National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn, Lake Tahoe, NV 2000: This is Wildlife Rescue, How May We Help You , IWRC, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1999: Wildlife Paramedics: The Benefits First Responders , CCWR, Sacramento, CA
OTHER PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2020: Living With Wildlife , Malibu Bluffs Park, Malibu, CA 2019: Living With Wildlife and Barn Owls for Natural Rodent Control , Ojai Library, Ojai, CA 2019: Living With Urban Coyotes, hosted by the Aromas Grange, Aromas, CA 2019: Living With Wildlife, hosted by the Pebble Beach Garden Club, Pebble Beach, CA 2017: Living With Wildlife: Barn Owls , Carmel Valley Garden Club, Carmel Valley, CA 27 City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 2017: Living With Wildlife: Gopher , Carmel Valley Garden Club, Carmel Valley, CA 2017: Living with Urban Coyotes , Point Dume Community, Malibu, CA 2017: Living With Wildlife , U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Cnt, Incline Village, NV 2017: The American Barn Owl , hosted by the Haute Enchilada, Moss Landing CA 2016: Living With Wildlife , Aromas Grange, Aromas, CA 2016: Living with Urban Coyotes , Capitola Community Center, CA 2016: Living with Urban Coyotes , Carson City Parks and Rec, Carson City, NV 2016: Living with Urban Coyotes , Trail Safe Nevada, Reno, NV 2015: Non-Lethal Solutions to Urban Wildlife Conflicts , CA Fish & Game Commission Wildlife Resource Committee, Los Angeles, CA
PUBLICATIONS
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
2000: Wildlife Paramedics: The Benefits of Being the First Responders to Wildlife Emergencies , International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference Proceedings.
BOOKS
2012: Wildlife Search and Rescue, a guide for first responders. Wiley Blackwell, UK APPS
2015: WildHelp , V1, mobile application for iOS
UNPUBLISHED
2014: Co-Author, Recommended Best Practices for Response, Care and Re-Wilding of Mountain Lions in California .
2007: Co-Author, The Bear Dreamer , the story of Timothy Treadwell
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS
▪ Humane Wildlife Control Association
▪ National Pest Management Association
▪ National Wildlife Control Operators Association
▪ National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
▪ Professional Women in Pest Management
AWARDS, HONORS, COMMENDATIONS
28 City Council Meeting
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Manhattan Beach Coyote Survey July 2022 | Humane Wildlife Control, Inc. 2021: Commendation, California State Senator John Laird 2020: Integrated Pest Management Achievement Award, Dept of Pesticide Regulation (virtual) 2015: Los Angeles Animal Services, Certificate of Appreciation for Providing Wildlife Search & Rescue Training to the Employees of LA Animal Services
2012: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Certificate of Appreciation for Wildlife Rescue and Community Liaison
2012: California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators, Certificate of Recognition for 31 Years of Service and Dedication in Wildlife Rehabilitation
2004: CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Certificate In Recognition of Volunteer Services. 2002: CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Certificate of Appreciation for Exceeding 20 Years In Wildlife Rehabilitation
2002: California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Award in Recognition of Dedicated Service. 1999: Golden Rule Award Finalist for exceptional volunteer service. 1998: Golden Rule Award Finalist for exceptional volunteer service. 1998: Citizen of the Year, Dolphin Award, Malibu, CA
1998: L A County Commendation for dedicated service.
1997: L A County Commendation for volunteer emergency assistance during 1996 wildfires. 1993: L A County Animal Care and Control Commendation for volunteer emergency services. 1992: Webster Elementary School PTSA, Malibu, CA, Recognition for lectures on wildlife.
OTHER
Expert Witness with testifying experience on wildlife behavior and capture techniques 29 City Council Meeting
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1 City of Manhattan Beach
Coyote Management Plan
Manhattan Beach Police Department
Animal Control
420 15th Street
Manhattan Beach, California 90266
Phone: (310) 802-5160
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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
BACKGROUND 3
DIFFICULTIES MANAGING WILDLIFE 5
WHAT ROLES DO COYOTES PLAY IN THE ENVIRONMENT? 5
HOW DO HUMANS PERCEIVE COYOTES? 6
HAVE COYOTE NUMBERS INCREASED IN MANHATTAN BEACH? 6
COYOTE MANAGEMENT PLAN 8
COYOTE ATTRACTANTS IN URBAN AREAS 9
HAZING AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE 11
FOUNDATION OF HAZING 11
GOALS OF HAZING 12
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 12
TRAINING PROGRAM 13
PUBLIC HAZING TRAINING 14
ENFORCEMENT 16
RESPONSE PLAN 17
INCIDENT DEFINED 18
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS ON ENCOUNTERS WITH COYOTES 19
APPENDIX B – COYOTE BEHAVIOR, BEHAVIOR CLASSIFICATION
AND RECOMMENDED RESPONSE 21
APPENDIX C – OVERVIEW OF HAZING 22
APPENDIX D – COYOTE YARD AUDIT CHECKLIST 23
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3 Introduction
The intent of this plan is to provide guidance for dealing with coyotes in Manhattan Beach.
Guidelines and provisions of this plan do not supersede federal, state and county regulations and policies. Furthermore, the provisions of this plan do not apply to Manhattan Beach residents, businesses or homeowner associations in pursuit of their legal rights in dealing with coyotes.
Background
The City of Manhattan Beach does not own or have any control of wild animals found within its boundaries, nor is the City responsible for the actions or damage caused by them. These animals are a common and important integral part of our ecosystem, biosphere and the circle of life. The Manhattan Beach Police Department Animal Control Division was originally created to deal with problems arising from domestic animals and to enforce laws pertaining to them.
To a small degree, wildlife has been included in the scope of their services, as needs have arisen, primarily due to the proximity of natural habitat; which has occasionally resulted in wild animals’ involvement in distressed situations in which they require rescue.
In the middle part of 2016, Manhattan Beach, along with other municipalities in Southern California, began to experience an increase in the amount of coyote encounters. While Manhattan Beach experienced only an increase in coyote sightings and the preying of free roaming feral cats in open public and private areas. Other municipalities reported encounters that included attacks on pets that were on and off leash, a documented escalation of stalking and aggressive behavior displayed by coyotes, and an upsurge in sightings in areas populated by people (particularly during the day). The encounters have caused a general sense of fear among citizens and a desire to manage the increased coyote activity in neighborhoods.
Areas within and adjacent to the City where dense landscaping is prevalent (Manhattan Village parkways, Marriot golf course, Chevron refinery property, etc.) also provide locales where coyotes can safely migrate, hunt for food, build dens and reproduce. It is also believed that the prolonged drought has limited potential food sources for the coyotes and thus drawn the coyotes to residential neighborhoods in search of food and water.
Coyotes are opportunistic, versatile carnivores that primarily eat small mammals, such as rabbits, ground squirrels, and mice, to name a few. Coyotes tend to prefer fresh meat, but will City Council Meeting
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4 eat significant amounts of fruits and vegetables during the autumn and winter months when their prey is scarce. Part of the coyote's success as a species is its dietary adaptability. This dietary elasticity, coupled with a lack of prey and closer proximity to residents, has led the coyotes to seek alternative food sources, including small pets, pet food, trash, fallen fruit and vegetables found in the backyards of homes. Generally, coyotes are reclusive animals who avoid human contact. However, with the urbanization of coyotes they have realized there are few real threats in suburban environments. This has resulted in coyotes approaching people and even feeling safe visiting yards when people are present.
In response to the rise of more aggressive coyote activity in neighborhoods, City staff researched response from surrounding communities, analyzed the Coyote Guidelines from the Humane Society of the United States, and researched coyote ecology to better understand and to create an appropriate plan for Manhattan Beach.
This Coyote Management Plan enables the City to manage the amplified presence of coyotes with an emphasis on education, hazing, and lastly employing lethal means of removal only when the safety of the public is at stake.
The Coyote Management Plan is guided by the following principles:
1. Human safety is a priority in managing human-coyote interactions.
2. Coyotes serve an important role in ecosystems by hel ping control the population of rodents.
3. Preventive practices such as reduction and removal of food attractants, habitat modification and responding appropriately when interacting with wildlife are key to minimizing potential interaction with coyotes.
4. Solutions for coyote conflicts must address both problematic coyote behaviors (such as aggression towards people and attacks on pets) and the problematic human behaviors (intentionally or unintentionally feeding coyotes and letting pets outside unattended) that contribute to conflicts.
5. Non-selective coyote removal programs are ineffectiv e for reducing coyote population sizes or preventing human-coyote conflicts.
6. A community-wide program that involves residents is necessary for achieving coexistence among people, coyotes and pets.
The suggested actions in the plan are designed to increase citizens’ knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave and make clear how such behavior can be managed to reduce or eliminate conflicts with coyotes. The Plan requires active participation on the part of the entire community including residents, homeowner associations, volunteers, and City staff.
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5 Difficulties Managing Wildlife
Although Manhattan Beach places a high value on its wildlife, some species adapted to urban environments have the potential for problems and/or conflicts in specific situations. In addressing problems, Manhattan Beach promotes policies supporting prevention and implementation of remedial measures that do not harm the wildlife or their habitats.
A wildlife problem is defined as any situation that causes a health or safety issue to its residents. In cases where problems with wildlife are associated with human behavior (leaving garbage exposed or intentional wildlife feeding), ordinances and enforcement may be enacted to minimize conflict. In some cases, particular or traditional management tools are ineffective. For example, relocation of animals is not ecologically sound and is not allowed in California without permission from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Generally, relocated animals do not survive the transfer. If they do, they rarely stay in the relocation area and tend to disperse to other locations where they may cause problems, be involved in territory disputes or introduce disease. In some instances, the dispersed wildlife, especially coyotes, will go to great lengths to return to its previous territory or adversely affect residents. For these reasons, the CDFW rarely allows relocation of wildlife.
As a last resort, lethal control measures, when employed, are controversial and non-selective; it is extremely difficult to ensure that problem-causing coyote(s) will be the ones located and killed. Since firearms are usually unsafe to use in urban and suburban areas, traps are generally the method used. Most traps are notoriously indiscriminate, capturing almost any animal that triggers them. Sometimes called "trash" animals by trappers, non-target species that have been found in traps include threatened and endangered species, raptors, domestic dogs and cats. These animals can sustain the same injuries as target species. Even if released, they may perish later from internal injuries or reduced ability to hunt or forage for food. If they are used, traps must be humane and in compliance with federal and state laws.
It is not economically, ecologically or in other ways efficient to attempt to remove all coyotes from the urban ecosystem. Attempts made by local, state and federal agencies as well as private organizations over the past century to eradicate coyotes have proven to be ineffective.
Moreover, during the past century coyotes have expanded their territories to include every state except Hawaii.
What Role do Coyotes play in the Environment?
Coyotes play an important role in the urban ecosystem. They are predators of geese, eggs, squirrels, mice, rabbits, rats, gophers and other small animals. Rodents make up a majority of their diet.
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6 How do Humans Perceive Coyotes?
People respond to coyotes in various ways. Some observe them with enjoyment, others with indifference and some with fear or concern. Personal experiences with coyotes may influence their perceptions. Experiences range from animal sightings without incident to stalking, killing of pets or, at the extreme, an attack on a person.
Because wild animals conjure up fear, actual sightings and perceptions may become exaggerated or misconstrued (see Appendix A for coyote description encounters). The wide range in perceptions of urban coyotes from Manhattan Beach residents supports the need for strong and consistent educational messages to clarify management techniques.
Have Coyote Numbers Increased in Manhattan Beach?
Without tracking and updated inventories, it is difficult to know if the number of coyotes has increased in an area. What is known is that coyotes can become habituated if they are intentionally or unintentionally fed, which can lead to bolder behavior when coyotes lose their fear of people. Coyotes - like all predators - will stabilize their populations if they are not constantly exploited. In general, coyotes regularly roam an area of about 2-5 square miles or whatever it takes to get enough food for the pack members. Normally, each pack is a territorial family group that varies in number from 3 to 10 individuals. A portion of the area the pack inhabits is the pack’s territory, which they defend from other coyotes. The number of mature coyotes in the pack is linked to the amount of food resources in the territory. The pack system keeps coyotes from getting too numerous because the packs defend the area they need to survive.
A coyote pack usually has one breeding (or alpha) female. This female produces more pups than are ultimately wanted in the pack. Young coyotes may leave the pack at about 9-11 months of age but dispersal patterns are highly variable. These coyotes become transients.
Other types of transients include older individuals that can no longer defend their role as upper level pack members and leave the pack.
Transients move all over in narrow undefended zones that exist between pack territories searching for an open habitat to occupy or group to join. They often die before they succeed (many are hit by cars). It is largely because of these transients, that coyote eradication programs are unsuccessful.
Removing a group of territorial coyotes will create an undefended area into which the transient coyotes will flow. At all times of the year, numbers of transients are immediately available to replenish any voids created by killing the resident coyotes. Further, if either the alpha male or alpha female in a pack is killed, the resulting effect may result in ovulation in other breeding- City Council Meeting
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7 age females in the pack and an increase in the number of litters as well as the number of pups per litter.
Monitoring and Collecting Data
Monitoring and data collection are critical components of an effective coyote management plan. This is best accomplished with input from both residents and the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Manhattan Beach Animal Control records and tracks coyote sightings or incidents, (See Appendix A for definitions), by monitoring calls for service. It is important that residents immediately notify Animal Control when a coyote encounter occurs so that responding officers can properly note observations, monitor the area and take appropriate actions. Coyote sightings and/or incidents can be reported by calling Animal Control dispatch at (310) 802-5159, Monday-Sunday 6am-1am every day.
The purpose of monitoring human-coyote interactions is to document where coyotes are frequently seen and to identify human-coyote conflict hotspots. Gathering specific data on incidents will allow for targeting of educational campaigns and conflict mitigation efforts, as well as the ability to measure success in reducing conflicts over time. Citizens can make coyote related inquiries by emailing Animal Control at [email protected].
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8 Coyote Management Plan
Management Strategy
The City of Manhattan Beach strategy for managing coyotes is based on balancing respect and protection for wildlife and their habitats without compromising public safety. The main strategy is comprised of a three-pronged approach consisting of public education designed around co- existence with coyotes, enforcement of laws prohibiting the feeding of wildlife and ensuring public safety by implementing appropriate tiered responses to coyote and human interactions.
This plan requires active participation on the part of the entire community including residents, city employees, volunteers and Manhattan Beach Animal Control.
Education
Education is vital for residents to make appropriate decisions regarding their safety or managing their property and pets. The goal of education is to decrease attractants, increase pet safety, and reshape coyote behavior through hazing and creating reasonable expectations of normal coyote behavior. Dissemination of information to residents, businesses and schools may be accomplished through the use of the City and Police Department websites, social media, local press, mailers, pamphlets and brochures.
Learning how to respond to a coyote encounter empowers residents and supports reshaping undesired coyote behavior. The public should understand what normal coyote behavior is when living in close proximity with coyotes. For example, vocalization is normal acceptable behavior and does not indicate aggression.
Enforcement
The act of feeding wildlife is known to lead to an increase in wildlife activity. Feeding can attract coyotes and their prey to an area leading to an increased likelihood of creating a habituated coyote(s) resulting in increases in coyote - human interactions. California law prohibits feeding wildlife. Manhattan Beach Police Department Animal Control will strictly enforce the State law(s) pertaining to this activity. Local ordinances such as leash laws shall also be strictly enforced.
Response Plan
A detailed tiered response plan has been developed to provide a mechanism for identifying and classifying different levels of human and coyote interactions. Definitions of coyote encounters is listed in Appendix A and Appendix B provides a chart detailing coyote behavior, behavior classification and recommended responses.
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
9 Coyote Attractants in Urban Areas
While human attacks are very rare, urban landscape development, habituation through intentional and unintentional feeding, pet related incidents and media attention have led some urban residents to fear coyotes. It is important to note that attacks on free-roaming and unattended small pets are normal coyote behavior and do not necessarily indicate a danger for people.
Coyotes usually become habituated when they learn and associate people and/or neighborhoods with sources of food. We reinforce this behavior by not reacting appropriately when we see a coyote. Steps must be taken to address safety concerns and misconceptions and appropriate responses to potential threats to human safety. It’s important to keep in mind that coyotes have been in and around Manhattan Beach (and other parts of Southern California) for a very long time.
Coyotes are drawn to urban and suburban areas for the following reasons:
1. Food – U rban areas provide a bounty of natural food choices for coyotes that primarily eat rodents such as mice and rats. However, coyotes can be further attracted into suburban neighborhoods by human-associated food such as pet food, unsecured compost or trash, and fallen fruit in yards. Intentional and unintentional feeding can lead coyotes to associate humans with sources of food, which can result in negative interactions among coyotes, people and pets. To reduce food attractants in urban and suburban areas:
a) Never hand-feed or otherwise deliberately feed a coyote. b) Avoid feeding pets outside. Remove sources of pet fo od and water. If feeding pets outside is necessary, remove the bowl and any leftover food promptly. c) Never compost any meat or dairy (unless the compost is fully secured). d) Maintain good housekeeping, such as regularly raking areas around bird feeders, to help discourage coyote activity near residences. e) Remove fallen fruit from the ground.
f) Keep trash in high-quality containers with tight-fitting lids. Only place the cans curbside the morning of collection. If left out overnight, trash cans are more likely to be tipped over and broken into.
g) Securely bag attractive food wastes such as meat scr aps or leftover pet food before discarding in outside trash receptacles.
City Council Meeting
September 6, 2022
10 2. Water – U rban areas provide a year-round supply of water in the form of storm water impoundments and channels, artificial lakes, irrigation, pet water dishes, etc., which support both coyotes and their prey. In dry conditions, water can be as alluring as food, so remove water bowls set outside for pets and make watering cans unavailable.
3. Access to Shelter – Parks, greenbelts, open spaces, golf courses, buildings, sheds, decks and crawl spaces, etc., increase the amount and variability of cover for coyotes. They allow coyotes to safely and easily remain close to people, pets, homes and businesses without detection. In the spring, when coyotes give birth and begin to raise young, they concentrate their activities around dens or burrows in which their young are sheltered.
Coyotes may take advantage of available spaces under sheds or decks for use as a den, bringing them into close contact with people and pets.
4. Unattended Pets – Coyotes primarily eat small mammals such as mice and rats, but will also prey on slightly larger mammals such as rabbits and groundhogs. Animals that are approximately the same size as a groundhog or rabbit such as free-roaming unattended outdoor pets, especially cats and small dogs, may attract coyotes into neighborhoods.
a) The best way to minimize risk to pets from coyotes (and the other dangers of outdoor life such as cars, disease, dogs and other wildlife) is to keep small pets indoors (or only let them outside in a secure enclosure or when accompanied by a person and under the control of a leash and harness). b) It is important to either keep dogs on a leash six feet long or shorter when outdoors or to stay within six feet of them when outside. (Coyotes may view a small dog on a leash longer than six feet as an unattended free-roaming pet.) c) Although attacks on larger dogs are rare, coyotes will sometimes go after a large dog when they feel that their territory is threatened. This generally occurs during the coyote breeding season, which takes place from January through March. During this time, it is especially important not to let dogs outside unattended and to keep them on leashes (six feet long or less) when in public areas.
5. Feral Cats – People who feed feral cats are often concerned that coyotes might prey on the cats. These concerns are well founded, as coyotes can be attracted to the outdoor pet food. Although there is no sure way to protect feral cats from coyotes, the following tips can be helpful:
a) Feed cats only during the day and at a set time—and pick up any leftovers immediately.
b) Provide escape routes for cats.
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11 c) Haze coyotes seen on the property (see Appendix C). Making them feel uncomfortable will encourage them to stay out of the area.
Other domestic animals kept outside, such as rabbits, may also be viewed as prey by coyotes.
Protect outdoor animals from coyotes (and other predators) with protective fencing, by ensuring that they are confined in sturdy cages each evening.
Residents are encouraged to use the Yard Audit Checklist (Appendix D) as a tool to help recognize and remove attractants in their yards and neighborhoods.
Hazing and Behavior Change
Some coyotes have become too comfortable in the close proximity of people. To safely coexist, it’s important to modify this behavior and attitude in resident coyote populations.
Habituated coyote behavior needs to be reshaped to encourage coyotes to avoid contact with humans and pets.
Hazing – also known as “fear conditioning” - is the process that facilitates this change and is by necessity a community response to negative encounters with coyotes. The more often an individual animal is hazed, the more effective hazing is in changing coyote behavior.
Hazing employs immediate use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage undesirable behavior or activity. Deterrents include loud noises, spraying water, bright lights, throwing objects and shouting. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and discourage them from neighborhoods such as backyards and play areas. Hazing does not harm or damage animals, humans or property. Behavioral change also involves human activities such as how to identify and remove attractants and how to responsibly protect pets.
Foundation of Hazing
a) It is not economically, ecologically or in other way s efficient to try and eradicate coyotes from the urban ecosystem.
b) Hazing is one piece of a long-term plan in creating safe and acceptable living situations, increase understanding and reduce conflict between coyotes and people.
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12 Goals of Hazing
a) To reshape coyote behavior to avoid human contact in an urban setting. Human behavior can shape animal behavior, in either a negative or positive manner. People living in close proximity to coyotes can remove coyote attractants, identify potentially dangerous situations for their pets and themselves, and respond in a manner designed to change coyote behavior.
b) To provide residents information and tools to active ly engage in reshaping coyote behavior and to support feeling safe in their parks and neighborhoods. This can be accomplished by teaching residents hazing techniques.
c) To model hazing behavior and share accurate informat ion about coyotes among other residents, friends and family.
d) Monitor hazing to assess its effectiveness and deter mine if further action or more aggressive hazing is needed.
e) Develop long-term community based hazing programs.
General Considerations
1. Levels of hazing need to be appropriately relevant to coyote activity.
a) Coyotes live in open spaces and the best practice is to leave them alone and educate the public on personal safety.
b) Coyotes are often out late at night when few people are present. This is normal acceptable behavior. Hazing may not be necessary. c) Exceptions: In early stages of hazing, programs should still engage animal. Coyotes that associate danger in the presence of people under all circumstances will be reinforced to avoid contact.
2. Hazing must be more exaggerated, aggressive and consistent when first beginning a program of hazing. As coyotes “learn” appropriate responses to hazing, it will take less effort from hazers. Early in the process, it is extremely common for coyotes not to respond to hazing techniques. Without a history of hazing, they do not have the relevant context to respond in the desired outcome (to leave).
3. Techniques and tools can be used in the same manner for one or multiple coyotes. Usually there is a dominant coyote in a group who will respond - others will follow its lead. DO NOT ignore, turn your back or avoid hazing because there are multiple animals instead of a single individual.
4. The more often an individual coyote is hazed by a variety of tools and techniques and a variety of people, the more effective hazing will be in changing that animal’s future behavior.
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13 5. Hazing must be directly associated with the person involved in the hazing actions. The coyote must be aware of where the potential threat is coming from and identify the person.
6. Coyotes can and do recognize individual people and a nimals in their territories. They can learn to avoid or harass specific individuals in response to behavior of the person and/or pet.
7. Coyotes can be routine in habit. Identifying their normal habits can help target which habits to change. For example, the coyote patrols the same bike path at the same time in the morning three to five days a week. Hazers should concentrate on that time and place to encourage the animal to adapt its routine to decrease contact with people.
8. Certain levels of hazing must always be maintained s o that future generations of coyotes do not learn or return to unacceptable habits related to habituation to people.
9. Human behavior must change to support hazing and continued identification and, if necessary, remove possible attractants.
10. Education about exclusion techniques including how to identify and remove attractants, personal responsibility in pet safety and having reasonable expectations are critical parts of a coyote hazing plan.
11. Coyotes are skittish by nature. Habituated behavior is learned and reinforced by human behavior. Coyotes as a rule DO NOT act aggressively towards aggressive people. The one exception is a sick or injured animal. Engaging a sick or injured animal can result in unpredictable behavior. If this is suspected, people should not engage and remove themselves from the situation, then immediately contact Manhattan Beach Police Department Dispatch at (310) 802-5159 or dial 911.
12. Individuals involved in hazing need to be trained in explaining hazing to residents who witness the process. They also need to explain the difference between hazing and harassment of wildlife and goals of appropriate behavior for coexistence.
Training Program
Because coexisting with wildlife involves the community, initiating the hazing training programs and hazing activities by volunteers must be supervised by experts. Without this support, the programs will ultimately fail. Information should include basic training on background, coyote ecology information, and overview of hazing and examples of techniques.
Materials should be provided such as handouts, contact information and resources when City Council Meeting
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14 questions, comments and concerns come up relating to coyotes. Volunteers need to learn about coyote behavior and be aware of realistic expectations, understanding normal versus abnormal coyote behavior and having a consistent response to residents’ concerns and comments.
Behavioral change and hazing includes the following:
a) Pet owners need to protect pets. Off-leash and unatt ended dogs and unattended outside cats attract coyotes (as well as pet food).
b) Residents need to learn hazing effectiveness and tec hniques. A hazing program must be instituted and maintained on a regular basis.
c) Hazing needs to be active for a sustained period of time to achieve the desired change for the highest possible long-term success.
d) Hazing requires monitoring to assess its effectivene ss and to determine if further action or more aggressive hazing is needed.
Public Hazing Training
Hazing requires by necessity community involvement, understanding, and support. Residents are best equipped to respond consistently and at the most opportune times in their own neighborhoods, parks and open spaces.
1. Locations of trainings offered shall be based on dat a accumulated from the public (service calls) on coyote activity in specific neighborhoods, parks or open space or proactively when requested by neighborhood community or volunteer groups.
2. Trainings are free to the public.
3. Topics to be covered include but are not limited to:
• Basic coyote information
• Discussion on why coyotes are in the City
• Normal and abnormal coyote behavior
• Seasonal behavior changes-breeding season, pups and denning behavior • Reality of dangers towards people versus danger towards pets • Children and coyotes
• How human behavior influences coyote behavior
• Attractants
• Tips on deterring animals from entering private property • Appropriate response when encountering a coyote
• What is hazing, goals, and how to engage
• Appropriate hazing techniques and tools
• Pet safety tips
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15 4. Updates, additional coyote information, electronic f lyers and handouts distributed to participants. Information is encouraged to be passed on to others.
5. Participants shall be notified of “hot spots” and asked to haze in the area.
6. Ask for feedback on hazing training and use of hazing techniques.
7. Participants shall email detailed accounts of encounters and hazing (Hazing interaction reports, to volunteer hazers for evaluation of program, progress, successful tools and techniques being used, techniques and tools needed.
a) Date, location, time of day, number of coyotes
b) Initial coyote behavior, hazing behavior, coyote response c) Effectiveness ratings
d) Tools and techniques used
e) Additional details/comments
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16 Enforcement
The act of feeding wildlife is known to lead to an increase in wildlife activity. Feeding can attract coyotes and their prey to an area leading to an increased likelihood of creating a habituated coyote(s) resulting in increases in coyote and human interactions. California law prohibits feeding wildlife. The Manhattan Beach Police Department will strictly enforce the State law(s) pertaining to this activity and any related county or municipal laws.
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 14
§251.1 - Harassment of Animals.
Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish & Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, harass is defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE TITLE 10
§10.84.010 - Providing Food for Certain Rodents or Predator Animals Prohibited.
A. Except as otherwise provided for herein, no person s hall feed or in any manner provide food to a non-domesticated rodent or a non-domesticated mammalian predator.
B. For purposes of this chapter:
1. “Rodent” includes ground squirrels;
2. “Mammalian predators” includes coyote, raccoon, fox and opossum.
MANHATTAN BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
§9.68.020 - Public nuisance; substandard or dangerous property conditions. (R) Feeding, or causing to be fed, any wild birds or other undomesticated animals, where such feeding creates any unsanitary condition, excessive noise, or property damage.
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17 Response Plan
A detailed tiered response plan has been developed to provide a mechanism for identifying and classifying different levels of human and coyote interactions. Definitions of coyote encounters are provided in Appendix A and Appendix B, detailing coyote behavior, behavior classification and recommended responses.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department’s Animal Control Division will respond to calls which involve a sick or injured coyote(s) or if there is a public safety issue, such as a coyote(s) threatening people or resting in an area frequented by people, such as a yard, park, playground, school, etc.
If a human is attacked and physically injured by a coyote, the Manhattan Beach Police Department will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which will be the lead investigating agency, to thoroughly investigate the incident, identify and lethally remove the responsible coyote(s). Lethal removal will also be considered as a last resort if there is a public safety issue (such as a coyote(s) threatening people or habituated to an area frequented by people, such as a yard, park, playground, school, etc.) only after a thorough investigation and identification of the offending coyote(s). Since coyotes are considered “non-game wildlife” by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, any resident or Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors can initiate, at their own expense, action to protect themselves and their private property from coyote attacks. Residents or Homeowner’s Associations taking action (such as hiring a licensed trapping company) should notify Manhattan Beach Animal Control of their activity.
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18 Incident Defined
An incident is described as a conflict between a human and a coyote where the coyote exhibits the following behavior: coyote approaches a human and growls, bares teeth, or lunges; injures or kills an escorted/on-leash pet. This includes attended pet loss, but not human injury. When human injury occurs, it is defined as an “attack.” The California Department of Fish and Game will investigate the incident if a human is physically injured.
Circumstances Determine the Response
If an attack is unprovoked indicating a continued threat to human safety, Manhattan Beach Animal Control will determine a course of action, potentially including a permit for trapping.
Manhattan Beach Animal Control will not engage in any attempts of general culling. Only specific animals will be targeted.
In a provoked attack, Manhattan Beach Animal Control will determine if circumstances indicate a continued threat to human safety. Manhattan Beach Animal Control will determine initial response which may range from targeted education up to lethal removal of the involved animal.
Continued response will depend on specific details of the attack. The level of threat to human safety will determine if continued action is needed. Continued activity may include increased educational materials such as flyers, mailers or press releases, public meetings, and/or potentially applying for a trapping permit.
If leg hold traps or snares are determined to be necessary, Manhattan Beach Police will coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on location, duration and details of trapping attempts.
Trapping will not extend beyond one month. While the use of live traps is legal, they are proven to be ineffective at capturing a targeted coyote and generally will not be considered.
Leg hold traps or snares will be used only as a last resort.
If there is immediate danger that requires shooting, Manhattan Beach Animal Control will support and coordinate with the Manhattan Beach Police Department first responders. No private individual will be authorized to discharge a firearm within the City of Manhattan Beach.
If a coyote is lethally removed, Manhattan Beach Animal Control will evaluate and determine what educational measures and hazing techniques need to be modified in order to decrease any reoccurrence.
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19 Appendix A
Definitions of Encounters with Coyotes
Active coexistence: Humans and coyotes exist together. Communities decide on community space, such as open spaces, where coyotes are appropriate and do not haze, feed, or interact with them in these areas. Humans take an active role in keeping coyotes wild by learning about coyote ecology and behavior, removing attractants, taking responsibility for pet safety, and hazing coyotes in neighborhood or community spaces (except for predetermined coyote appropriate areas).
Attack: – A human is injured or killed by a coyote.
Provoked - A human-provoked attack or incident where the human involved encourages the coyote to engage. Examples include dog off-leash in an on-leash area; dog on leash longer than 6’ in length, or a human intentionally approaches or feeds the coyote.
Unprovoked - An unprovoked attack or incident where the human involved does not encourage the coyote to engage.
Pet Attack:
Attended animal loss or injury - When a person is within 6’ of the pet and the pet is on leash and is attacked and injured by a coyote.
Domestic animal loss or injury - A coyote injures or kills a pet. Also includes “depredation” - predation on domestic pets. Unattended animal loss or injury is normal behavior for a coyote.
Suspected Pet Attack: A coyote is an opportunistic feeder and may feed on animals, especially cats that were previously killed by cars or other means. The remains may be found and indicate that the animal was attacked by a coyote. In cases where Animal Control Officers respond to these calls, without knowledge of an actual attack, the incident will be recorded as a suspected attack.
Encounter: An unexpected, direct meeting between a human and a coyote that is without incident.
Feeding:
Intentional feeding - A resident or business actively and intentionally feeds coyotes including intentionally providing food for animals in the coyote food chain.
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20 Unintentional feeding - A resident or business is unintentionally providing access to food. Examples such as accessible compost, fallen fruit from trees, left open sheds and doors, pet food left outdoors, among others.
Unintentional feeding – bird feeders: A resident or business with bird feeders that may provide food for coyotes, e.g. birds, bird food, rodents, squirrels. Bird feeders must be kept high enough from the ground so a coyote is unable to reach the feeding animals. The area under the bird feeder must be kept clean and free of residual bird food.
Hazing: Training method that employs immediate use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing techniques include loud noises, spraying water, bright lights, throwing objects, shouting. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from neighborhood spaces such as backyards and play spaces. Hazing does not damage animals, humans or property.
Threat Incident: A conflict between a human and a coyote where the coyote exhibits the following behavior: approaches a human and growls, bares teeth, or lunges; injures or kills an attended domestic animal. A human is not injured.
Stalking Incident: A conflict between a human and a coyote where the coyote exhibits the following behavior: follows a person with or without an attended pet on leash. A human is not injured
Observation: The act of noticing or taking note of tracks, scat or vocalizations.
Sighting: A visual observation of a coyote(s). A sighting may occur at any time of the day or night.
Unsecured Trash: - Trash that is accessible to wildlife, e.g. individual garbage cans, bags or uncovered or open dumpsters or trash cans over-flowing or where scattered trash is outside the receptacle.
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21 Appendix B
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22 Appendix C
Overview of Hazing
Human behavior can shape animal behavior, in either a negative or positive manner. People living in close proximity to coyotes can remove coyote attractants, identify potentially dangerous situations for their pets and themselves, and respond in a manner designed to change coyote behavior.
Hazing is a process whereby individuals and volunteers respond in like manner to make a coyote uncomfortable and choose to leave a situation where their presence is unwanted.
Basic hazing consists of standing your ground, never ignoring or turning your back to a coyote(s), yelling and making unpleasant and frightening noises until the animal(s) choose to leave.
More aggressive hazing consists of approaching an animal quickly and aggressively, throwing projectiles, spraying with a hose or water gun, or creating fear of contact so the animal leaves the situation.
Hazing must continue once it begins until the animal leaves, otherwise, the coyote will learn to “wait” until the person gives up. Not following through with hazing will create an animal more resistant to hazing instead of reinforcing the image that “people are scary.”
Hazing should never injure the animal. An injured animal becomes less predictable versus a normal, healthy one who responds in a consistent and predictable manner to hazing.
Hazing should be conducted in a manner that allows the coyote to return to its normal habitat in a direction that would minimize harm to the animal. Hazing the animal in the direction of other houses and busy streets should be avoided.
Hazing uses a variety of different hazing tools. This is critical as coyotes get used to individual items and sounds.
• Noisemaker: Voice, whistles, air horns, bells, “shaker” cans, pots, pie pans • Projectiles: sticks, small rocks, cans, tennis balls, rubber balls • Deterrents: hoses, spray bottles with vinegar, peppe r spray, bear repellant, walking sticks
A common concern with hazing involves potential danger to the hazer. A coyote’s basic nature is very skittish and the nature of the species is what makes this technique successful. A normal, healthy coyote will not escalate a situation with an aggressive person. Hazing is NOT successful with every species of wild animal because different types of animals have different traits.
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23 Appendix D
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Manhattan Beach
Coyote Survey Report
prepared for
City of Manhattan Beach
by
Rebecca Dmytryk
Humane Wildlife Control Inc.
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Compiled from MBPD records, Coyote Cacher,
Nextdoor accounts, Facebook posts, news media.
September 2014 - August 2022
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COYOTE SCIENCE
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Packs contain an alpha pair “King” and “Queen”
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Coyotes are 100% monogamous
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A helper or two
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Pups of the year
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Subordinate females behaviorally sterile
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Pups start to disperse at about 7 mos.
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They may be solitary or “transients”
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Compiled from MBPD records, Coyote Cacher,
Nextdoor accounts, Facebook posts, news media.
September 2014 - August 2022
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Natural foods include
fruits, vegetables,
seeds, nuts, insects,
small rodents and other
small mammals.
Anthropogenic foods
include pet food,
birdseed, small pets.
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XX
synurbic
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https://theconservationagency.org/neighborhood-coyote-traffic-drops-in-first-food-removal-experiment-by-nbcs/ Rhode Island: Narragansett Bay Coyote Study
Neighborhood coyote traffic drops dramatically after food subsidies removed.
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Warmth
Reliable shelter
Human companionship
Regular vaccinations
Grooming
Control of parasites
Health checks
Dental disease
Respiratory illnesses
Transmission issues
Predation on and by
Spread of toxoplasmosis
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• 5.5’ High +
• < 4” X 6” mesh
• 15” overhang and apron
• Corner shields
Coyote-Proof Fencing
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To change coyote behavior,
we have to change our own.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
- Wildlife-proof trash receptacles
- Prevent overflowing trash - Reduce rodent harborage
- Prohibit feeding of wildlife
- Adopt a feral cat management plan
- Improve handling of stray cats
- Adopt a canid response plan
- Conditional trapping strategy (in full compliance with all applicable laws) To change coyote behavior, we have to change our own.
- Dedicated Canid Response Unit
- Education, education, education
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