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Description

It is important to understand public opinion on urban wildlife in order to effectively manage it. Coyotes have adapted to survive in urban environments and do not have a favorable presence in Long Beach, California due to their predatory nature. This research project seeks to provide a clearer understanding of how the residents of Long Beach feel about the coyote population and how they interact with it. The data obtained from this project will fill knowledge gaps about the types of encounters residents have with coyotes and help create management plans to effectively deal with local safety concerns. Residents were randomly mailed a survey (n=341) where they were asked about their opinions towards coyotes in the City and their satisfaction with the City's coyote management. Interviews were conducted with six different urban wildlife experts. Prevalent themes among the interviews include (1) a need for public education and awareness of coyotes and (2) higher concern among residents with pets and small children. Survey data shows that 60% of residents have encountered coyotes in their neighborhood and that the most common encounter type is ”sighting only.” 31% of free responses indicated concern regarding pet safety. 19% of free responses favored management practices that involve human behavior (primarily through education) and 10% of responses favored those that would involve action on coyotes. Increasing public awareness is necessary in order to promote the coexistence of wildlife with human life in an urban environment.

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Public Opinion of Coyotes in Long Beach: Surveys and Interviews

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