As spring approaches, coyotes are entering denning season—a period after their mating season when pups are born and coyote sightings increase as the mammals venture into urban neighborhoods in search of food.
And as long as there have been coyotes, there have been smaller prey to buoy their population.
According to longtime resident Zoila Glazer, some of her neighbors are thankful for the reduction in rodent populations that came with denning season—which occurs April through May.
But for others, like Long Beach resident Ahmad Alb, who takes his dog Odin on frequent walks in Drake Park, the rising presence of severed cat body parts and entrails in the area is a cause for concern.
“There was a cat, and you could see all her parts dragged over the park,” he said, pulling out his phone to show photos of a cat body cleanly severed at the hip and a yard-long line of intestines in the grass. “I mean, it’s a natural thing, but there’s kids around to play and see these things.”
Alb and other neighbors said they usually see coyotes in the early morning, but lately sightings have occurred during the daytime. One day, around 4:30 p.m., he saw two coyotes come out of the bushes near the Drake/Chavez soccer fields and stare at him and his dog, he said.
“They’re just running around, like they’re not afraid of people at all,” he said. “Most of their activities are at nightime, when people are not around. It was very, very weird to see them.”
Now, Alb keeps Odin on a tight leash. He’s concerned that his medium-sized chihuahua-pomeranian mix could become coyote kibble.
Alexander Heeren, a research scientist for California Fish and Wildlife, said that coyote encounters can be “very alarming” for some people.
He acknowledged that the death of pets can be “very traumatic,” but he encourages residents to try to view coyotes from a different perspective.
“I think it’s always a neat opportunity to see wildlife, even in urban areas. Coyotes are a very adaptable species,” Heereen said. “I think it’s actually kind of remarkable that even in residential, heavily urbanized areas, individuals still have a chance to observe nature and wildlife.”
Coyote interactions and how to avoid them
According to Heeren, coyotes are typically most active between dusk and dawn, but they’re relatively adaptable, “not strictly nocturnal” and can be active anytime throughout the day in California.
He said coyotes may be hunting “a little bit more” during denning season, as mother coyotes seek out food for their pups, but environmental factors play a larger role in coyote sightings.
For example, the presence of unsecured trash, fallen fruit, pet food or birdseed could attract coyotes looking for an easy meal, Heeren explained. Residents should keep outdoor areas clean of trash, remove fallen fruit and avoid leaving pet food outside to prevent coyotes.
Heeren also said that during coyote season, residents should keep their pets on a leash and always supervise their pets when outdoors, even in backyards, as coyotes can jump fences.
“[Coyotes are] omnivores, but their natural prey are small animals—rodents, birds—but unfortunately also smaller pets, whether it’s cats or dogs,” Heeren said. “Oftentimes, domestic animals don’t have the same instincts for avoiding predators.”
“I think it’s actually kind of remarkable that even in residential, heavily urbanized areas, individuals still have a chance to observe nature and wildlife.” —Alexander Heeren, research scientist for California Fish and Wildlife
In 2020, the Loyola Marymount Center for Urban Resilience worked with the City of Long Beach to conduct a multiyear analysis of coyotes and created a management plan for the city.
Their data suggested that “Southern California is experiencing novel, increased risk of domestic animal predation from coyotes.”
The center’s number one recommendation: increasing specialized education for residents regarding coyote risk.
Glazer, who has lived in Long Beach for over a decade, lets her dogs roam free in the park, despite her shared experience finding cat entrails with Alb and hearing about the deaths of neighborhood cats.
“I’ve lived in this area for 12 years. I’ve seen them once in a while, going around, but never in the daytime,” Glazer said. “But now they’re running around on Daisy Street, so I don’t know. I guess they’re looking for food.”
She noted that Drake Park is a venue for birthday parties and family gatherings. Many people leave trash in the park, which in turn may attract coyotes seeking food.
The Wilmore Historic District is also flanked on one side by the Los Angeles River, a potential water source for coyotes and a potential food source given the trash left by persons experiencing homelessness in the area.
Richard Luster, who has been homeless since 1989 and lives in an encampment along the LA River, said he hasn’t had any problems with coyotes, though he has seen cat parts strewn about the riverbank.
“Can’t do anything about the coyotes,” he said. “It’s like getting rid of the raccoons and opossums, how are you going to do that?”
Coyotes cannot be relocated, Heeren said, both because it is illegal to do so in California and because relocation will “cause the problem to repeat itself,” on top of the risk of introducing new diseases to another area.
Coyotes are also territorial animals—if attractants like food sources are still available, a new coyote will move into the area. If they’re relocated to an area that’s another coyote’s territory, they may “come into conflict” over a lack of resources.
“In order for a solution to be effective, the root cause of the issue has to be addressed,” Heeren said.
The Long Beach Animal Cares website suggests the following precautions against coyotes:
- Never feeding coyotes or any other wildlife.
- Keeping pets and pet food inside. If feeding outside, feed pets during the day (no more than one hour) and remove the food and water bowls when finished.
- Staying close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keeping them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.
- Removing fallen fruit from the ground.
- Bagging food wastes such as meat scraps or leftover pet food.
- Keeping trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Using “hazing” techniques to shoo away coyotes, such as standing tall, yelling and waving arms while approaching the coyote; using a whistle, air horn, bell or other device; banging pots or pans together; stomping your feet; using a water hose, pepper spray, or throwing tennis balls or rocks at the coyote.
- Never running away from a coyote.
Residents can report coyote sightings and incidents with this Long Beach Animal Care Services form or with California Fish and Wildlife here.
Long Beach Animal Care Services does not respond to calls for service for normal coyote behavior, such as sightings.
Animal Care Services officers do respond to calls regarding sick or injured coyotes, or if there is a public safety issue: such as coyotes threatening people or lingering in an area frequented by people, such as a yard, park, playground or school, according to their website.
If there is an immediate threat to human life related to coyotes, residents should call 911.
