Manhattan Beach investigates coyote problem and possible crackdown – Daily Breeze

Manhattan Beach hired an animal trapper to survey its coyote population before the city council moved to trap — and possibly euthanize — the wild animals which in some cases threatened residents and killed at least one pet. company.

The trapper will report to city council at its Aug. 16 meeting, citing the number of coyotes in the area, the areas they frequent and their behavior, said George Gabriel, assistant city manager.

Earlier this month, the city council asked staff to find a consultant, noting that the city’s animal control division had reported nine reports of coyote sightings this year, Gabriel said. In one incident, a pet was killed. Five other incidents were cited as unproven attacks on pets.

As the investigation continues, staff educate the public on how to avoid coyotes, including keeping their trash cans tightly closed, never leaving pet food out, and picking up fallen fruit of their trees. The city uses door sheds to educate residents, Gabriel said, and the city’s “Reach Manhattan Beach” app now has a coyote-sighting category.

Earlier this month, the city also considered removing dense brush that coyotes tend to use for dens and updating a 2016 coyote management plan that appeared to show a drastic decrease in sightings of coyotes. animals by 2018. These two options and other regulations are on the table as the council awaits the investigator’s report.

While the city council doesn’t want to wait for someone to get hurt before they start trapping coyotes, Jessica West, a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said human intervention is failing to regulate populations. of coyotes – but to reduce their available food and available space do.

“Lethal coyote population control is not an effective long-term solution,” West said at a previous Manhattan Beach City Council meeting. “We have found coyotes in other nearby areas that will recognize that a space is open and will fill it” – and have more litters.

Coyotes aren’t wired to view people as prey, West added, and biting humans is a learned behavior after repeated exposure to people.