Diamond Bar Shares Wildlife Reminders

Visiting or living near open space areas means occasional encounters with wildlife, particularly during spring and summer when sightings increase due to breeding and migrating activity, which is why the City of Diamond Bar reminds residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings and do their part to ensure a successful co-existence of people and wild animals.

For the most part, wildlife-watching is an enjoyable experience if done from a safe and respectable distance. Issues arise when these animals, particularly those of a predator nature such as coyotes, lose their natural fear of humans.

It is when coyotes become habituated to people that the potential for conflict occurs, making small house pets vulnerable and susceptible to predation.

To prevent your property from attracting coyotes, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recommends the following dos and don’ts:

• Do trim shrubs in and around your property to prevent cover for dens.
• Do pick up fallen fruit and maintain fruit-bearing trees.
• Do prevent access to garbage cans and cover compost piles.
• Do bring outdoor pets indoor for the evening, or house them in secure enclosure.
• Don’t feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
• Don’t leave small pets unattended or unleashed.

If you cross paths with a coyote and it begins to follow you or exhibit aggressive behavior, call 9-1-1. Also, do not turn your back and run as this might trigger the coyote’s instinct to chase; instead stand as tall as possible, waive your arms, and make loud noises. If the coyote does not leave, throw rocks, sticks, or other objects in its direction.

For more information about coyotes and other wildlife, visit dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild. A series of wildlife videos is available for viewing on the City's Youtube page youtube.com/diamondbarca.

—City of Diamond Bar