Management of conflicts between urban coyotes and humans in Southern California

Abstract

An apparent increase in coyote-human conflicts, notably attacks on humans, demonstrates that such incidents are not rare in California. The authors discuss coyote attacks on 53 humans, resulting in 21 instances of human injury, over the last decade. These illustrate repeated, predictable pre-attack coyote behavior patterns. Specific changes in human environments and in human behavior that have contributed to coyote attacks are discussed. Case histories of attacks reveal contributing factors and suggest appropriate corrective and preventive actions. Padded leghold traps have been the most effective and efficient tool in removing problem coyotes and changing the behavior of coyotes to fear humans and the urban environment. Long-term solutions will require changes in human behavior. Humans must come to view large mammalian predators as a potential hazard. Increased public education is needed to improve methods of landscape management, refuse disposal, care of pets, and recognition of the need for predator management.

Coyote Attacks on Humans in the United States and Canada

“…The word "attack" is used by the public, popular press, and wildlife professionals to include a wide variety of interactions between people and coyotes, including incidents such as a close-range coyote sighting in a residential neighborhood or the attack of a domestic pet in the presence of its owner (Fox, 2006). Previous reviews of coyote attacks have used broad definitions of the word "attack" to include incidents in which victims were either not injured by a coyote (e.g., stalking) or injured themselves while trying to rescue a pet from a coyote (sensu Baker & Timm, 1998;Timm et al, 2004). We chose to use a relatively conservative definition of a coyote attack for the following analyses.…”

“…Previous reviews of coyote attacks have not identified attacks by rabid coyotes (Carbyn, 1989;Baker & Timm, 1998;Timm et al, 2004). We recorded 10 cases of confirmed rabid coyote attacks, which resulted in 15 bite victims.…”

“…These programs should stress the importance of properly storing household refuse, not leaving pet food outdoors, and securing small domestic pets (Baker & Timm, 1998;Timm et al, 2004). These programs should also inform the public about the appropriate behavior to exhibit when encountering a habituated coyote.…”

“…Although these reviews have provided useful information regarding human-coyote conflicts, they have been limited in scope and analysis. Past reviews of coyote attacks have focused on attacks in California (Howell, 1982;Baker & Timm, 1998;Timm et al, 2004) or within national parks in Canada and the northwestern United States (Carbyn, 1989;Hsu & Hallagan, 1996). These reviews have provided few analyses of victim demographics, seasonality of attacks, and none concerning the behavior of both the victims and coyotes prior to, during, and after the attack.…”

“…Previous reviews of coyote attacks on people have suggested that the frequency of coyote attacks on people has increased in recent years (Baker & Timm, 1998;Timm, Baker, Bennett, & Coolahan, 2004). Although these reviews have provided useful information regarding human-coyote conflicts, they have been limited in scope and analysis.…”