A REVIEW OF SUCCESSFUL URBAN COYOTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED TO PREVENT OR REDUCE ATTACKS ON HUMANS AND PETS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Since the fatal coyote (Canis latrans) attack on a 3-year-old girl in Glendale, California in 1981, government agencies have emphasized developing coyote management programs to increase public safety. This presentation will focus on the success of numerous programs including: small neighborhoods, industrial sites, parks, large city and county-wide projects. Local environmental conditions attracting coyotes, specific problems caused by the coyotes, public reaction, and the role of public relations including public education emphasizing environmental management, will be discussed. Coyote population monitoring regarding behavior patterns, aversive conditioning, and coyote population reduction methods will be reviewed. Trapping remains the most effective tool in removing problem coyotes and reinstilling the fear of humans in most cases; however, calling and shooting by well trained personnel are also a very important tool and sometimes the only option. However, factors in the environment influenced by human behavior must be changed to prevent re-occurrences of urban coyote conflicts with humans and pets. Wildlife must always be considered to be wild, not cuddly friends