Community Corner

Construction Projects Impact Coyote Season in Rossmoor, Seal and Los Al

According to the Rossmoor Predator Management Team, ongoing construction has shifted coyote migration from Seal Beach toward Los Alamitos.

By Jessica Burger

Two years of heavy construction has influenced Coyote migration in Rossmoor and surrounding areas, according to those who track them.

Resident Dave Lara and his wife track coyote activity in as the Rossmoor Predator Management Team. Since the West County Connector Project cleared the brush between Rossmoor and the freeways and gates were constructed, the coyote migration has shifted from the Seal Beach area to the Los Alamitos area, said Lara.

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“Within the last three months there are more missing cat signs in Rossmoor,” said Lara.

“Generally speaking, you are starting to see cats missing. That’s usually a clue that there are coyotes in our track,” he said. “We haven’t seen a pack of coyotes in the track, just single coyotes.”

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In the past, coyote tracking and trapping has helped to minimize the problem, added Lara.

According to Lara, the coyotes used to live behind the back wall of Martha Ann Street that wraps around the edge of Rossmoor, near the entrance to the 605 Freeway. 

He said they would creep into the neighborhood at night, sometimes killing outdoor cats and even small dogs.

“At one time, because it was so overgrown, the coyotes were living behind there. That was where our trapper trapped them.” Lara said. “But now, because of the construction, that is not where they are living.”

Past tracking of the animals revealed they migrated into that area from either the 605 freeway entrance or from underneath Seal Beach Boulevard through the storm drains.

“A couple of years ago, they built gates so that they cannot come through,” he said. “The coyotes we have tracked so far here in Rossmoor, there is not just one area they are coming in from and hitting.”

Lara believes the coyotes are now coming in through the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base from the Navy Golf Course, a completely different direction than previously.

“They are coming into the track from the east side, across Los Alamitos Boulevard.”

Both Lara, his wife and other residents have spotted coyotes recently in the early morning, but they have been single sightings of skinnier coyotes than Lara remembers seeing in the past.

“The one I saw was small, kind of emaciated,” said Lara. “Our friend saw another that was small to medium and quite skinny.”

But Lara still warns residents to think twice before keeping small pets outside.

“We certainly believe that by the residents leaving their cats running loose, it is attracting coyotes,” said Lara.

As recently as Friday morning, two coyotes were seen roaming in yards on 13th Street in Seal Beach.

Following a daylight coyote attack on a small dog in Edison park last year, police in Seal Beach warn ed residents to take basic steps to protect themselves and their pets from coyotes:

  • Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote. Coyote attacks directed toward people have occurred in the western United States.
  • Keep pets under control, and be sure not to leave them out at night. Coyotes might kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and cats. Walk your dog on a short leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for rabbits and other vulnerable animals.
  • Control other sources of food that might attract a coyote: Keep trash secure and compost bins covered; closely monitor bird feeders to ensure they are not attracting other wildlife; and keep dog and cat food bowls inside. Coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain wild and wary of people.
  • Coyotes like areas where they can hide yet still be near food. You can help by thinning brushy areas in your yard and closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes might use areas under buildings for resting or raising young.


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