Coyotes on the rise

The increase of coyote sighting induces panic, a concern of safety for families and pets.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there has been a rise to 50 reports of which a coyote bit a person in Southern California between August 2012 and August 2016.

Professor Cindy Chrisler of CSUSB is an animal health technician, shares her thoughts on why the number of coyotes keeps expanding in the Inland Empire.

Other reasons are due to the plentiful food supply that humans offer outside of their home.

When it comes to the large garbage bins, make sure to keep them securely closed so it won’t open just in case if it is tipped over.

Not only is trash on their list but they can eat just about anything; fallen fruit, scraps and small insects.

Having access to the trash can change the behavior of coyotes.

Their caution is thrown into the wind and may begin to pester pets in the backyard.

“Diseases, pretty much anything that a dog can get, a coyote can get since they are closely related, but they would have to come in really close contact like sharing a food bowl. Which leads to one of your prevented measures; don’t feed your pets outside,” said Chrisler.

The biggest harm to pets is that coyotes will predate and eat them.

Small cats or dogs like Chihuahuas should be kept inside at night, don’t let them out unsupervised.

Especially in an interface area such as where CSUSB is located.

Third-year student, Denise Bustamante, resides in Moreno Valley where she has encountered coyotes there and on CSUSB campus.

“Twice, I tend to see them if I’m out late at night. A year ago, I saw one in the park in the daytime, I saw it come out of the bushes while I was walking my dogs. That was kind of scary,” said Bustamante.

In the wild, coyotes are typically diurnal.

But in habituating with humans, they have pushed to become more nocturnal.

They come out in the evening, during the night and early morning hours, then hide out during the day.

College student Brenda Limon, resides in San Bernardino where she has a witness coming across coyotes in three separate occasions.

In one of these encounters, a coyote was crossing the railroad tracks just as she was at a distance strolling nearby.

“It was skinny and small. I wanted to feed it but it’s bad to feed them. So I just stood there staring at it, keeping my distance because if I came any closer to it, it probably would’ve attacked me. I slowly backed away from it,” said Limon.

Other helpful tips on what to do if someone encounters a coyote is to make loud noises to scare it away or try throwing small stones in their direction.

If nothing else works to scare them away, start backing up away from them but don’t turn your back on them.

Turning your back and running away can be a sign for the coyote to attack.

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Cutting grass and timing bushes at a ground level can help people keep an eye out of what's inhabiting their backyard.

Try to trim to keep hedges at a ground level to decrease chances of hiding spots for coyotes.

During the spring, it’s best to be extra cautious since these canines tend to be more attentive while scavenging for food and protecting their newborns.

“I feel like they mostly attack animals. The community should be cautious with the small animals that they leave outside or take for a walk,” shared Bustamante.

Smaller animals are at more risk than people but it is always safe to keep everything unreachable for coyotes to prey on.

As long as people pay attention to their surroundings, are well informed, keep their pets inside and up to date with their vaccination, the number of coyotes multiplying in the community should reduce.