With summer upon us, coyotes in the Morongo Basin are in their normal denning season caring for newborn pups and may be spotted more frequently in search of food, water, and shelter. This puts outside pets — and at times people — at risk of attack and injury.
Preventative measures can mitigate interactions between coyotes and humans, as well coyotes, pets, and livestock. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes do very well in urban areas and around people. A lack of natural predators allows them to roam freely in the daytime, and cars are typically their greatest danger.
Keep coyotes away by putting garbage in tightly closed containers, removing sources of water, and attractants like pet food or bird baths. Remember to bring pets in at night, provide secure enclosures for livestock, pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
The state encourages confrontations with coyotes by making loud noises at them, chasing them, or even throwing things at them such as small rocks or pinecones.
While they don’t encourage any harm to coyotes, the coyotes need to associate humans with danger.
