Recent sightings of coyotes on campus have raised concerns that people may be feeding the animals, encouraging their presence.

Campus administrators and police officials are asking anyone who comes in close contact with wildlife to keep a safe distance and engage in practices that don’t foster harmful behaviors in the animals. 

According to the Urban Coyote Research Project, eliminating food sources in populated areas is the most effective way of limiting potentially dangerous encounters between people and wildlife. Feeding or providing water for wild animals can reduce their fear of humans. This can lead to aggressive behavior, predation on domestic pets and testing humans as possible prey. It can also harm an animal’s survival abilities if it develops a reliance on people for sustenance. 

Ken Paglia is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife information officer for the Bay Delta and Central regions, which includes Monterey County. He said the agency would like people to observe one basic rule when dealing with wildlife.

“Keep wildlife wild,” Paglia said. “If you really care about wildlife, respect it from a distance.”

Paglia said it’s understandable that people may want to help an animal, particularly when it appears distressed or unhealthy, but that instinctive reaction may not be helpful. 

“When you think through the consequences,” he said, “it’s just not worth it.”

Besides not approaching animals, here are some tips for keeping human/wildlife contact to a minimum: 

• Dispose of any trash or pet waste in secured containers and keep trash areas clean.
• Carry a whistle, a can with rocks, or other noisemaker to scare off potentially aggressive animals. Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
• Keep a safe distance. Clap your hands, make noise (e.g., whistle, noisemaker), and allow the animal to move away on its own.
• Do not leave small pets unsupervised outside and leash them when walking or hiking.

If an animal is behaving in an unusual or aggressive manner, report it to police at 831-655-0268. If a person has been bitten or scratched by a coyote, or other wild animal, call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention. After contacting local authorities, notify the Fish and Wildlife office at (559) 243-4005.

Learn about safety and wildlife including bobcats, coyotes, and mountain lions on Fish and Wildlife's Keep Me Wild general information page. The University Police Department also provides information on its Local Wildlife Safety webpage.