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Experts and police outline coyote monitoring, urge removal of aggressive animals
Summary
A Cal State Long Beach researcher and Seal Beach police officials urged residents to remove attractants, practice hazing and report aggressive coyotes; officials said lethal removal of specific problem animals and targeted enforcement are preferred to broad extermination programs.
A wildlife scientist and Seal Beach police officials briefed the City Council on June 23 about urban coyote behavior and steps residents and city staff can take to reduce conflicts.
The presentation, delivered by Dr. Stankiewicz, professor of biological sciences and director of the mammal lab at California State University, Long Beach, described how coyotes adapt to cities and why some become bold enough to approach people and pets. Police Captain Nick Nicholas introduced the speaker and said animal control officers will respond to reports and coordinate any removal actions with the watch commander.
Dr. Stankiewicz said coyotes now occur in every major U.S. metropolitan area and that urban populations tend to be “on the bolder side” of the behavioral spectrum. He estimated typical urban densities at 0.5 to 2.5 coyotes per square mile and said that, given Seal Beach’s 13 square miles and nearby natural areas, “my best guess is 30 to 40 animals in the area.” He warned that indiscriminate lethal control can backfire by disrupting social structure and increasing localized reproduction.
The scientist recommended an active public program that combines two approaches: (1) targeted removal of hyper‑aggressive individuals that repeatedly approach people or pets, and (2) community measures that reinstate fear of humans across the population (often called hazing). “Target removal of the hyper aggressive problem animals is critical,” he said. He and police staff also stressed removal of attractants — unsecured garbage, pet food and deliberate feeding — and keeping small pets indoors or in enclosed runs.
Captain Nicholas told the council that animal control officers are dispatched to active incidents and that staff, working with the watch commander and outside experts, decide whether to seek permits or other authorizations for removal. For life‑threatening attacks, he reminded residents to call 911; for non‑emergency coyote issues residents should call the department’s non‑emergency number (562) 594‑7232 or use the city’s routine animal control contact methods.
Council members asked about fences, deterrents and legal limits on capture or relocation. Dr. Stankiewicz said tall fences (6½ to 8 feet) with roller bars can help but are expensive and visible; he also said relocation of coyotes is generally not legal in California without special permits and that poisons pose non‑target risks. He added that passive monitoring (trail cameras) and surveys can help the city track trends over time.
The presentation concluded without a council vote. Staff and police indicated they will continue standard animal control responses and public education; councilmembers did not adopt a new ordinance during the meeting.
The council discussion and the presentation emphasized resident actions — hazing, removing food sources, supervising small pets — and targeted removal of confirmed aggressive animals as the preferred policy approach to reduce coyote‑pet and coyote‑human conflicts.
