Mountain Lions and Coyotes Safety Tips an Information

District 10 is home to many residents, including those of the four-pawed variety. This page is designed to inform and educate you about the natural inhabitants of the fantastic area we all live in, as well as provide tips to follow in order to co-exist with our sometimes dangerous neighbors.

Mountain Lions

About half of California is prime moutain lion country. District 10 in San Jose is no exception. This simple fact is a surprise to many residents and visitors. These large, powerful predators have always lived here, preying on deer and other wildlife, and playing an important role in the ecosystem.

Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet, and elusive. They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. Such conditions exist in mountain subdivisions, urban fringes, and open spaces. Consequently, the number of mountain lion/ human interactions has increased. This increase likely is due to a variety of reasons: more people moving into mountain lion habitat, an increase in prey populations, more people using hiking and running trails in mountain lion habitat, and a greater awareness of the prescence of mountain lions.

Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards. There is far greater risk, for example, of being struck by lightining than of being attacked by a mountain lion.

Tips

  • Don't Feed Wildlife - By feeding deer, racoons, or other wildlife in your yard, you will inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.
  • Deer Proof Your Landscape - Avoid using plants that deer prefer to eat; if your landscaping attracts deer, mountain lions may be close by.
  • Landscape for Safety - Remove dense and/or low-lying vegetation that would provide good hiding places for mountain lions, esp. around children's play areas.
  • Install Outdoor Lighting - Keep the perimeter of your house well lit at night to keep any mountain lions visible.
  • Keep Pets Secure - Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions. Either bring pets inside or keep them in a kennel with a secure top. Don't feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other mountain lion prey.
  • Keep Children Safe - Keep a close watch on children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.

If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

In the event that you should ever encounter a mountain lion, here are several tips from experts:

  • Do Not Hike Alone - Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
  • Keep Children Close To You - Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.
  • Do Not Approach a Lion - Most mountain lions will ty to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
  • Do Not Run >From a Lion - Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct tp chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.
  • Do Not Crouch or Bend Over - A human standing up is not the right shape for a cat's prey. However, a human bending over or squatting looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal.
  • Do All You Can To Appear Larger - Raise your arms, open your jacket, throw stones and branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion you may be a danger to it.
  • Fight Back If Attacked - A hiker in Southern California used a rock to fend off a mountain lion that was attacking his son. Others have fought back successfully with sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools, and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually bites the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

For further information on mountain lions, please visit Santa Clara County Vector Control or if you have a face-to-face encounter with a mountain lion please contact the California Department of Fish and Game 24 hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045 immediately.

Coyotes

Coyotes are found throughout most of California. District 10 has several families of native coyotes within its boundaries. Coyotes are very adaptable and inhabit a variety of areas within the state, surviving on whatever food is available. They hunt rabbits, mice, birds, and other small animals, as well as young deer and sheep. They will also feed on carcasses of dead animals and will accept "hand-outs" from people in the form of table scraps, pet food and garbage.

Problems occur when people begin feeding coyotes either deliberately or inadvertently. Coyotes will quickly lose their natural fear of people and become bold, even aggressive. Pets are often attacked, injured or killed by coyotes. In a few tragic cases, coyotes have attacked small children, causing serious harm or death.

Coyotes are mostly active at night and during the early morning and late evening hours. In areas where they are not disturbed by human activities, and during cooler times of the year, they may be active throughout the day. Urban coyotes are becoming very tolerant of human activities. Young coyotes tend to be more active during daylight hours than adults.

Tips

  • Never Feed a Coyote - Deliberately feeding a coyote puts you, your pets, and your neighbors at risk. Coyotes are attracted to urban/ suburban areas by the easy accessibility of food, water, and shelter.
  • Don't Inadvertently Feed Coyotes - By leaving pet food or garbage outside where they can get to it, you may be inadvertently feeding coyotes. Feed pets indoors or remove outdoor dishes when pets finish their meals. Store bags of pet food indoors.
  • Use the Proper Type of Trash Can - Use a trash can that closes and/or can clamp shut. If you leave garbage outside, don't use garbage bags as trash containers. Put trash out the morning of the scheduled pick-up, rather than the night before. This will give the coyotes less time to scavenge.
  • Clear Brush & Dense Weeds - By clearing these areas, this will reduce protective cover for coyotes and make the area less attractive to rodents. Coyotes may be attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, such as wood and brush piles and seed storage areas.
  • Protect Children - Although rare, coyote attacks have seriously injured young children. Never leave small children unattended by coyotes, even in your yard.
  • Protect Pets - Keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits, and small dogs, indoors. Don't allow them to run free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Some coyotes seek cats in residential areas.

If You Encounter a Coyote

In the event that you should ever encounter a coyote, here are several tips from experts:

  • Use Negative Reinforcement - If coyotes begin frequenting your neighborhood, let them know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose. For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans.
  • If Coyote Problems Persist - Contact local city government or county agricultural commissioner for assistance.



Since you've already visited District 10's website due to your coyote concerns, for further resources please visit Santa Clara County Vector Control or contact them at (408) 792-5010.

If you are looking for information regarding local outbreaks of the West Nile Virus, please visit this site to learn more.

The information posted on this site is provided by the California Department of Fish & Game (Northern California Office reachable at (530) 225-2300) and the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. Our thanks and appreciation from the office of Council Member Nancy Pyle is extended to them.