As temperatures rise and Bay Area residents flock to the great outdoors, so does the chance of running into one of California's most adaptable natives, the coyote. East Bay Regional Park District issued a coyote advisory as visitation swells, alerting the public that encounters with these wild canids may become more frequent, particularly during pup-rearing season, which spans from March to August.
The advisory, released yesterday, details an array of behaviors park-goers may observe, like 'escorting', wherein a coyote follows humans to shepherd them away from pups. This display is often misinterpreted as aggression, but rarely escalates as such. The parks district advises calm and steady exiting of the area without the spectacle of running. Companion tips include hiking in groups, keeping pets on a short leash, and staying alert.
For those potentially unnerving moments when one spots a coyote, the district recommends keeping an eye on the animal and exiting the area quietly, no sudden movements or Hermes-level sprinting required. A reassuring fact dropped by the district is that most coyotes are more scared of us than we are of them. Still, for that bold minority that has lost their fear of humans, usually because someone thought it was a good idea to hand-feed them, the district has us covered with hazing techniques: be loud, be large, and if push comes to shove, use an umbrella as a prop to scare, not harm, the coyote.
Now, let's talk about the real potential victims of these urban-wildland meet-cutes: our pets. Coyotes view a fluffy Fido or a Meow Mix-fueled Mittens as potential snacks. Hence, the district lays out a few more rules for pet safety: Keep dogs leashed and avoid brushy areas. As for cats, the best bet for avoiding the ultimate cat-and-mouse game is to keep them indoors.
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