Six Coyote Sightings In Manhattan Beach In Last Two Weeks

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Six coyote sightings have been reported to the city's Parking and Animal Control, said Tim Zins, community affairs sergeant and public information officer for the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Coyotes have been seen recently in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Palos Verdes Estates and are frequently spotted in Torrance, which mans a coyote hotline.

In Manhattan Beach, the coyotes have been seen by locals during the day and night, about "50/50," said Zins, adding that "coyotes are not nocturnal like most people believe." Reports on Nextdoor (Dear Readers! Post your coyote sightings on "Neighbor Posts" on Manhattan Beach Patch!), put the coyotes in the Sand Dune Park and Grand View Elementary School area as well as Veterans Parkway, also known as the greenbelt or chip trail. Some people have been walking their dog; some have not and have seen the coyote looking out their windows from home.

"As of January 1, 2020, we haven’t had a single animal attack or dead animal believed to have been killed by a coyote," said Zins. When a coyote sighting report is made, Zins said MBPD's "Parking and Animal Control will respond to check the area. If a coyote is seen, they are to observe it and make sure it is not attacking humans. If a human is bit they will respond and take an LA County animal bite report. We would also contact California Fish and Wildlife who will respond and take a report."

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife notes that pet food left outside and garbage can be attractive to wildlife. In Torrance, where coyotes are seen often and have killed people's pets, the city offers educational information on its website. "The coyote is a member of the dog family and is native to California. It closely resembles a small German shepherd dog with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. The coyote's high-pitched, yodel-like yapping can frequently be heard at night. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available. Coyotes are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to keep the rodent populations under control. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds, and other small animals. Coyotes are by nature fearful of humans. If coyotes are given access to human food, pet food, or garbage, their behavior changes. They will quickly lose their natural fear of people and may become bold, even aggressive. Pets are often attacked, injured, or killed by coyotes."