By Tanisha Bell
Editor-In-Chief
Coyotes have recently been spotted at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and the college has sent out an alert on what to do if students, faculty or staff run into one.
The main advice: Do not panic. If you see a coyote, remain calm, but be cautious. The feral canines are generally disinterested in those who walk on two legs.
“Normally, coyotes are elusive animals and avoid any contact with humans and, by nature, are fearful of humans,” according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Another plus: Coyotes are nocturnal by nature, so any threat during daylight is minimal.
“They are most active after dusk and before daylight,” said Jeff Wood, manager of Risk Management/Environmental Health and Occupational Safety.
Of course, there are plenty of students on campus at night, and coyotes also venture out into daylight if they cannot find enough food in the dark.
Wood provided the information about the last known campus sightings. Within the past five years there have not been any reported attacks or injuries.
Students were notified about coyotes via campus email, but some students reported they missed or did not receive the notification.
Students who did not receive the notification are being prompted to contact CSUDH’s Information Technology Help Desk for assistance.
The best way to handle coyotes is to keep your distance. Never welcome the coyotes onto the campus, as they may feel at home and become territorial.
The first thing to keep in mind is to never feed or leave behind any food. This will tempt the coyotes to come back for more.
If you ever come across a coyote, never show signs of fright. Always keep in mind it is better to appear larger than it is to shrink and hide. In order to appear larger, stand as tall as possible and wave your hands above your head.
Coyotes are usually fearful of humans. If students decide to go against the school policies and start feeding or caring for the coyotes, they may lose that natural fear and become aggressive.
At any point or time you come across a coyote, or an unfamiliar species, here are some behaviors the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends:
• Make yourself as large as possible. Stand up straight and wave your arms over your head.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. Scream, yell or whistle. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• Speak forcefully and directly at the coyote.
• Be animated.
•Always look directly at the coyote. Never turn your back or run.
If you spot coyotes on campus, please report them to the Risk Management/EHOS at campus Exts. 2895 or 3012.
Additional information is available on the Fish and Wildlife website: wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Coyote.
