The Dept. of Animal Services recently issued a wildlife alert for portions of Council District 2 after coyote sightings in Studio City and the nearby area. Here are a few tips on what you can do if you spot a coyote or other wildlife in your neighborhood:
- Keep your pet leashed and close to you and be aware of your surroundings when walking. Coyotes may pop up anywhere, so always look far ahead of you and glance back often. Avoid establishing a regular routine for walking as coyotes pick up on patterns and may follow you. They associate the presence of people with food. Alternate directions of your travel and the times you walk if possible.
- Make a coyote shaker can by taking a steel or high density aluminum can and placing a few coins in it. Tape the hole shut. It can then be shaken and even thrown in the direction of the coyote to scare it away.
- Carry a walking stick or large colorful umbrella when out on walks so that you can use it to fend off an animal. An open umbrella, for example, presents you as being much larger then the animal and may frighten it away.
- Wear clothes with striking colors when walking.
- A whistle, air horn, or thrown golf ball may be used to frighten off a wild animal. Wear a waist pack and keep some of these items in it.
- For coyotes observed at your property, make a wildlife scare kit and keep it by the door to your yard. Include items such as air horns, whistles, 2 small pans to bang together, a bullhorn to yell at the coyote through, baseballs and golf balls to throw, a disposable camera with flash as the flash may scare the coyote, and/or a fire extinguisher which may be used to scare off an animal.
For more information about the wildlife program run by Animal Services, click here.