Los Angeles Animal Services Department is recommending no trapping and killing of coyotes, recognizing that people are often the problem, not coyotes. If a metropolis like L.A. can do it, then it can be done anywhere.

“Despite sometimes alarming reports of a growing coyote presence in pockets of the metropolis, Los Angeles animal services on Friday proposed little change in its approach to urban coyote management.”

“The revised coyote plan was requested by Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino, whose district has been hard hit with coyote reports this year.”

“The 20-page document, which was posted online Friday by the city’s Department of Animal Services, calls for more community education along with more city wildlife staff and warning signs and covered trash cans to be placed in affected city parks — but no trapping or removal of coyotes.”

“The department doubles down in its long-standing approach toward urban wildlife. Coyotes, animal services officials say, cause few problems that can’t be resolved with better coexistence training and compliance on the part of the city’s residents.”

“It is not the intention of the Department of Animal Services to remove wildlife from residential areas. Rather, the department is hoping to rectify most problems through neighborhood education and individual homeowner attention. This is a multi-tiered program designed to help neighborhoods better deal with wildlife issues, and further lessen contact with these animals by investigating changes in both human and wildlife behavior.”

We applaud the efforts of the city of Los Angeles to co-exist with wildlife rather than to try tactics that might make people feel better but are largely ineffective.  Public education is more effective than fear and irrational behavior.

By following these simple steps, the majority and perhaps even all conflicts can be avoided:

Do not feed wildlife, even indirectly (keep trash cans tightly closed, clean up outdoor pet food immediately, empty water containers and keep spas covered).

Supervise pets and small children when outside.

Remove unnecessary undergrowth that creates hiding places.

Safely haze without harming coyotes, instilling their natural fear of humans.

Full story here.

Photo courtesy of John Fandek.