GOLETA, Calif.—Whether in Los Angeles, New York or Santa Barbara County, coyote sightings are not uncommon.
In an anonymous Edhat post, one user said he had encountered coyotes every day for the past week.
When we spoke to Goleta residents and UCSB students, they said they believe this construction is leading to increased contact with coyotes.
“Last night? When I came back from campus, I saw a coyote near the basketball court,” said Saad Al Mulhem, a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
“We used to just happen to see them at dusk or sunset, and now it’s a regular occurrence,” said Sandy Simmons, humanitarian director for Santa Barbara Shelter Services.
Environmentalists say construction and development is rapidly displacing these native animals and depleting food resources.
“When I’ve seen them in the past, it’s usually just one at a time and you’ll see them running around one at a time. But like I said, you can see them on the camino from places like the golf course. “There was a group of four heading towards Real and they were just crossing through the woods and stuff, right next to Dos Pueblos,” said Rachel Amundsen, who lives in Goleta.
Hungry and thirsty coyotes will come to areas where there are livestock such as chickens and small pets such as cats and dogs.
“It’s scary for her (my cat), not me. I would feel so bad if something happened to her,” said Goleta resident Phil Johnston.
More desperate animals may even attack small children if there are no other food sources available.
The Santa Barbara Humane Society says recent water shortages in the mountains and hills due to high heat have made their movement patterns unpredictable.
“There’s no normal or abnormal anymore when it comes to coyotes. They’re in cities. They’re in areas we wouldn’t even think of having access to. They’re getting into people’s backyards. are jumping over fences,” said Sandy Simmons, Humanitarian Director of Santa Barbara City Shelter Services.
“Even if it’s in a fenced-in area in your backyard. For example, if you don’t watch your dog, if you live on a hill or something, your dog could be attacked by a coyote,” said Goleta resident Joey. Chow said.
Experts say if you encounter a coyote, you should make noise, make yourself bigger, maintain eye contact and back away slowly.
The worst thing to do is run away. This is because it can stimulate the coyote’s natural instinct to chase prey.
Carrying something like a handheld alarm can be a great deterrent against coyotes.
Santa Barbara Humane also suggests other noise makers such as canned air and air horns.
For small dogs, a porcupine vest can be a lifesaver as it protects their vital organs.
