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Coyote Coexistence
Sunnylands is aware that there is a native population of coyotes in the Coachella Valley. As part of our sustainability mission, we will not participate in a trap and kill program.
In other cities, these programs are being abandoned, because they have proven unsuccessful, and result in a boom of the coyote populations instead of eliminating them.
Coyotes are an important member of the local ecosystem. They keep smaller mammal populations down. In the absence of coyotes, these other species quickly increase in numbers, causing damage to property and native bird populations.
We welcome the opportunity to participate in a public discussion and an education program to find a long term solution that will benefit the community.
The information below is from humanesociety.org and discusses humane and ecological ways to deal with coyote populations.
Hazing
Hazing is a method that makes use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from backyards and play spaces.
Methods of hazing
Using a variety of different hazing tools is critical so that coyotes don’t get used to redundant or single stimulus devices, sounds, and actions.
- Yelling and waving your arms while approaching the coyote “Go away coyote!”
- Noisemakers: Voice, whistles, air horns, bells, “shaker” cans full of marbles or pennies, pots, lid or pie pans banged together
- Projectiles: sticks, small rocks, cans, tennis balls or rubber balls
- Other: hoses, water guns with vinegar water, spray bottles with vinegar water, pepper spray or bear repellent
- Whistles
The simplest method of hazing a coyote involves being loud and large:
- Stand tall, wave your arms, and yell at the coyote, approaching them if necessary, until they run away
- If a coyote has not been hazed before, they may not immediately run away when you yell at them. If this happens, you may need to walk towards the coyote and increase the intensity of your hazing.
- The coyote may run away, but then stop after a distance and look at you. It is important to continue to go after the coyote until they completely leaves the area. You may need to use different tactics, such as noisemakers, stomping your feet, or spraying the coyote with a hose, to get them to leave.
humanesociety.org
Resources:
presidio.gov/presidio-trust/planning/coyotes-in-the-presidio
conservationmagazine.org/2016/09/coyotes-live-almost-u-s-cities-heres-avoid-trouble
Please find below the print PDF version of this information.
