Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Saga of the Glendale Coyotes

We just got off the phone with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission and they have indicated that, at this time, the coyotes do not present a threat to the community and the agency WILL NOT be taking action - WILL NOT be setting traps to eradicate the animals.

A group of coyotes had been seen in the backyard of a vacant, burned out home on Brockmont Drive near Los Angeles, where Brockman Canyon, part of the wilderness of the Verdugo Mountains, descends into the City of Glendale. 

Without concrete evidence of a den (which to our knowledge has yet to be discovered), we believe the coyotes are being observed as they frequent the site, but they are not residing there.

In all likelihood, they are being drawn to the abandoned property by the smell and activity of rodents and the scattered refuse. It is also appears as though neighboring residents have not employed aversion tactics to drive the animals away. This is key when dealing with large predators.

 


What we want residents to understand is that coyotes and other wild animals will always be a part of their community and they must learn to co-exist - to safely and soundly live amongst their wild neighbors. This is absolutely possible, and we are here to help. 

For those experiencing problems with coyote, mountain lion, or bobcat, we offer FREE consulting to encourage non-lethal methods of resolving conflicts with large predators. Our Humane Wildlife Management program can be reached by calling 1-866-WILD-911 (866-945-3911).

We also want to acknowledge the Mayor of Glendale, Laura Friedman, who indicates she is in favor of non-lethal action in most cases. Letters supporting her position can be emailed to her by clicking HERE.

WildRescue is committed to being at the ready to organize and lead opposition to unwarranted lethal control of coyotes in California. If you'd like to donate specifically to this cause, to hep cover travel expenses and educational materials when needed, we've set up a separate donation account, HERE. Thank you!








2 comments:

  1. Why wait until they become a serious problem to do anything about them? They are wild animals and I think should get relocated now before their pack gets even larger.

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  2. Thank you Pasha. Relocation of wild animals is no allowed in California unless authorized by the State Department of Fish and Game - and for good reasons. Most importantly, it is not a long-lasting solution to human/wildlife conflicts - it does not solve the problem. Why not? Because, first of all, the wild animals are not the actual problem - they are the symptom. The problem is the environment that caused the symptom to develop. In this particular case it was the vacated lot and its attractants (rodents and refuse) and the impassiveness of surrounding neighbors. I do not blame the residents for not being proactive because they have not been instructed on proper tactics to take. This is what we do - we educate residents, community leaders, homeowners groups, arming them with very simple and easy methods of taking and keeping claim of their property. Man has lived alongside wild dogs for thousands and thousands of years - it is not the coyote that is getting smarter, honestly, it is the humans who are losing their wisdom of wild things and how to live in a wild world under the very simple laws of nature. Very simple. Check it out - if a family were to live with, for example, an unaltered male black German shepherd, and behaved as they typically do toward coyotes, there would be trouble. The dog, smartly, would take advantage of the humans until it was put in its place, and dominated. Same thing with coyotes. That is why moving this family of coyotes is not the answer, but training this pack to respect humans and human territory is. Thanks again for your comment. ~ Rebecca

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