See LB Animal Control Map Of 2015 Reported Coyote Encounters And Chart (2013-2015) By Zip Code

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See LB Animal Control Map Of 2015 Reported Coyote Encounters And Chart (2013-2015) By Zip Codes

Big increase in sightings 90808 in 2015 (YTD), big decrease in 90803 since 2014

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(Oct. 12, 2015, 1:58 p.m.) -- LBREPORT.com provides a 2015 map and comparative data chart by zip code prepared by Long Beach's Dept. of Animal Care Services (animal control, released on its website) showing various levels of reported coyote encounters.

The map (below) covers the period from Jan. 1, 2015 through Sept. 9, 2015. The data chart (below) displays data from Jan. 1, 2013 through Sept. 9, 2015.

The data chart indicates a major increase in coyote sightings in 90808 in 2015 (year to date) compared to 2014 (full year), while sightings dropped significantly in 90803 (year to date) since 2014 (full year). Other LB zip codes are mainly flat and, in some cases, lower. It's not immediately clear if the increase in 90808 in 2015 results from better resident reporting or a genuine increase in coyote numbers...or both (since they're not inconsistent.)

Another numerical caveat: 2015 numbers may be understated; LB ACS says "In March and April 2015, the online coyote report form was temporarily unavailable."

The updated information comes as LB's Animal Care Services department is finalizing a Coyote Management Plan -- a draft of which has been online for public review for nearly a year -- and may or may not make changes to the draft text in response to public input and updated data.

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"COYOTE REPORTING 1/1/15- 9/9/15"

City of LB Animal Care Services map

Coyote Report Jan 1/Sept 9, 2015

As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, the LB ACS draft Coyote Management Plan is quite similar to a Coyote Management Plan adopted in March 2015 by voted action of the Seal Beach City Council after that city's Council, in September 2014, initially implemented roughly four weeks of trapping/killing coyotes and other measures (including education and eliminating attractants.) Seal Beach's implemented plan defines "Level Red" as: "A coyote that has been involved in an investigated and documented provoked or unprovoked close encounter or attack on humans. City staff may work to lethally remove the responsible coyote(s) after a thorough investigation of the incident(s).

Compare: Long Beach's draft verbiage defines "Level Red" as: "A coyote that has been involved in an investigated and documented provoked or unprovoked attack on a human. City staff will notify California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). City staff will work with DFW to locate and eliminate the responsible coyote(s)."

Long Beach's "Level Orange" response verbiage currently states;

A coyote is involved in an incident(s) where there is an attended domestic animal loss. Coyote entering a dwelling or yard where people are present, or acting aggressively towards people. Several level 2 type incidents in the same general area may indicate the presence of a habituated coyote(s). Education and aggressive hazing needed, volunteer hazing team created, public awareness of incident(s) and circumstances discussed. If multiple level Orange incidents have occurred in the same vicinity within a short amount of time, lethal removal may be recommended.

Regarding coyote dens -- including a den reported on the Facebook "coyote watch" site in the area of Prisk Elementary School (and a tunnel leading to the school area from the 5th Council district north of the 405 freeway), ACS Dir. Stevens indicated he's been in contact with other agencies including CalTrans and L.A. County (to remove brush and the like.)

The developing-finalizing plan comes after the Council voted 9-0 on Aug. 11 to "receive and file" (take no Council directed action) on an item agendized by Councilwoman Stacy Mungo that, as plainly restated by Councilman Al Austin, lets Animal Care Services receive additional public comment...and lets Animal Care Services [not the Council] revise, finalize and implement the plan as it deems advisable without further Council action.

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Councilwoman Mungo's original motion (with co-agendizers Uranga and Supernaw, who didn't speak) generated over two hours of sharply split public testimony -- some strongly opposed to trapping/killing coyotes (some saying data show it's ineffective), others disputing the data and citing specific examples of increased coyote encounters, fearing for the safety of their pets, their children and the elderly, some saying they feel trapped in their homes and the City should do something more than it's doing now.

Sept. 5: LB Animal Care Services responds to the 3300 block of Ladoga Ave. (east of Palo Verde, south of Wardlow, zip 90808) after a coyote attacked and killed a cat on a resident's front lawn.