Residents in Southern California cities like West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Culver City have reported an increase in coyote sightings.
According to Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, this trend can be attributed to two primary factors.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
First, coyotes are expanding their territories into urban areas, particularly where suitable habitats can be found. "This is actually happening in western cities pretty much everywhere," Daly said. "It's a continued expansion of coyote presence and activity into towns perhaps where they haven't been before. The population is very healthy, and it appears to be growing."
Second, human negligence plays a significant role. Leaving out food sources like unsecured trash, fallen fruit, or pet food can attract coyotes to residential areas.
To discourage these unwanted visits, communities are urged to eliminate these food sources.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
