Officials Share Safety Tips As Coyote Sightings Increase In This South Bay City

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Coyote sightings have increased in Manhattan Beach, and city officials are sharing tips with community members on how to stay safe.

Manhattan Beach is the latest South Bay city to bring awareness to the increase in coyote sightings and activities. Cities such as El Segundo and Redondo Beach have also been experiencing the same issue

In August, a six-year-old boy had to get more than a dozen stitches after being attacked by a coyote at a park in Carson.

"If you see a coyote, keep your distance, clap, make noise and let it move away," city officials said in a video Wednesday. "If a coyote approaches, make yourself look bigger, wave your arms, yell and keep your kids close."

If someone is bitten or there's an immediate threat, call 911, city officials. Community members should also secure their trash, bring pets inside at night, clear fallen fruit and never feed coyotes, city officials said.

Urban coyotes have become a common occurrence across Southern California.

Coyotes are known to live in areas such as prairies or deserts, but they can adapt to urban environments and thrive in metropolitan areas.

Most often, factors such as increased coyote populations, droughts, and habitat displacement due to urban development may be factors that drive the animal to these areas.

The canines are usually fearful of humans and will go out of their way to avoid them. Attacks on humans are rare. Only one person in United States history has been reportedly killed by a coyote.

Still, the coyote will attack under certain conditions, including when it's cornered, defending its den, if it associates a human with food or if it's injured or ill.

The Urban Coyote Research recommends taking the following actions to mitigate conflict with the canine:

• Do not run from a coyote
• If encountering a coyote, shout or throw something in its direction
• Do not feed coyotes
• Avoid routes where coyote dens may be
• Avoid hazing or aggravating the coyote
• Report aggressive or fearless coyote behavior to authorities