Costa Mesa Coyotes Update

Perhaps you’ve driven around Costa Mesa recently and noticed some of the Coyote Warning signs in the local Mesa Verde neighborhoods or in the Westside. Unfortunately, it’s been a fact for a long time. Coyotes are around a lot of parts of Costa Mesa, and as the sign says, where we live is part of their natural habitat.

 

 

Don’t panic! It is easy to stay out of their way. Most incidents with Coyotes have been happening along the Santa Ana river trail (Mesa Verde area/Mesa Verde Country Club area/Westside area) and most of the issues happen late at night or early in the morning. The people that should be most concerned are those with small pets. Small cats and dogs are one of the easiest sources of prey for a coyote. For those that let pets out at night, or who have pets escape indoor living, be sure that you monitor them at all times after dusk.

 

Coyotes are populating our area because the Orange County game and wildlife officials do not sanction killing of any coyotes. Certain municipalities (like Laguna Woods) have opted to permit residents and others to exterminate the animals. However, Costa Mesa has not follow suit, so we will be living with them for the foreseeable future.

 

As I said previously, most of the coyotes have been seen/heard near the Santa Ana river trail where they have found safe places to make their dens. There is a great map at Coyotes In Orange County where sightings/incidents have been reported.

 

The easiest thing to do, apart from what is written on the posted sign, is to protect your children and be vigilant of your pets. We can certainly avoid them as they are mostly out late at night.