Coyote Yipps

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This is the letter I sent out to the representatives of the Park Department on Friday:

Updates: https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/01/san-francisco-coyotes-shot-girl-bitten/

https://www.macon.com/news/nation-world/national/article289696194.html

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/coyotes-killed-after-one-bites-child-sf-19549772.php

https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/the-city/san-francisco-coyote-attack-at-botanical-garden-a-rarity/article_09e0cb3c-38b2-11ef-9a34-8f9142f05577.html

“Coyote Behavior 101” for Dog Owners

Hi All Coyote Fans!

I’ve been invited to participate at the Bernal Earth Day Stroll on Sunday, April 21, to answer questions, hand out flyers, and talk briefly about our coyotes! I’ll be there from 11:00 am to 11:30 am on the steps of the Library — but only for 1/2 hour; not for the entire event which continues until 3:00 pm. My full presentation has not been scheduled yet — but looks like around the last Saturday in August.

Janet

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This ten minute video might seem long by today’s 2-minute standard. Although I’ve actually cut it by half, I’ve incorporated the entirety of what the field camera captured except the long sleeping sections.

I spend hours out in nature, waiting to see the coyotes I know, and then waiting for something to happen, as it often appears that nothing at all is really going on. But of course, something is always going on, and I can figure it out if I really look for it. In this video it appears that almost nothing is going on, but in fact there’s a wrenching story.

This is a five-month-old coyote pup. At five months, developing coyotes are becoming what we might call *teenagers*, unless something is preventing that from happening. Teardrop is one of Scout’s pups born this year — one of seven pups and the smallest. In addition, right from the start I noticed her constantly wet and oozing eyes, indicating that her immune system was not up to par. So she has been challenged right from the start.

I hadn’t seen her in months and thought she might no longer be around, but then several days ago she passed by one of my field cameras, and then, magically, as if she herself wanted to share her story, she spent time right in front of another of my cameras. I’m sharing that 20 minutes (reduced to 10 minutes) here.

In the video, Teardrop approaches one of the numerous dens dug by her parents but which were never used. Until this day, neither parents nor pups had ever entered this den, though they passed it occasionally and sniffed around. I had a camera there *just in case*. Coyote parents dig numerous dens to have them ready if they are needed, say due to flea buildup or a sudden danger, but few of these are actually used.

This particular den was dug when the pups were already two months old — not before they were born! — and HERE is a video of this den being built back in June.

Since this den had not been used, of course I was surprised that suddenly was, even if not for very long. Teardrop enters the den and remains in there, emerging a full hour later. The thing to notice is how emaciated, frail, and feeble she is. I don’t have images of her next to her siblings, but here is a healthy brother of hers on the left, she is in the middle photo. To the right is her as a much younger pup.

Bolder (brother) to the left; Teardrop a few days ago in the middle; Teardrop as a small pup to the right.

I’ve put captions in the video, pointing out what is going on. I wrote my wildlife vet and asked what, if anything, could be done to help. For instance, if this were a case of parasites or worms possibly we could intervene.

UPDATE: Her response was negative: “Most worms don’t cause severe emaciation- I would think more like not hunting well, or some other more severe problem- like kidney disease or other digestive malformation. Sadly that is not going to get better just with a deworming medication.”

I’m now thinking that the watery eyes, and the way they look in the video, may indicate a problem with seeing which would lead to not hunting well, as the vet suggested. I don’t think this is something we can intervene for. If there is a Part II to this story, I will post it, but it’s bound to be a sad one.

SF is now two-and-a-half-years old. Last year, at just over 1-1/2 years of age, he drove all of his littermates out of the family territory, forcing their dispersal — there were four of them — all were males. This is, of course, normal and natural coyote developmental behavior. Most dispersals that I’ve seen have been prodded on by a rivalrous sibling rather than a parent. Last year, his parents produced a subsequent litter of three. The two males have left, probably also driven out by SF: I was not around to catch the dynamics of their departures. One female from that litter, Bibs — 1-1/2 years old now — remains. These two — SF and Bibs — have become charmed buddies, and remain on their natal territory, along with their parents and another new litter born this year.

Dad no longer feels the same way as his daughter about this lingering son of his, after all, two and a half years is longer than most youngsters remain before dispersing. And on top of this, probably unbeknownst to him, it’s not actually his biological son, but his step-son. Yes, coyote families have the same complicated relationships that we have — even more so since inbreeding is quite normal for them. But I highly doubt that Dad understands that this son is not his: the son was, after all, raised as his own and I saw all the affection and care proffered on the son as though they were directly related; he was, in fact, the behavioral and situational dad. But above this they ARE related in all sorts of ways through the alpha female, who is Dad’s mother, sister, and now his mate, and SF is Dad’s half-sibling.. As I stated earlier, there is plenty of inbreeding in some coyote families. It can be confusing and reminds me of an SAT question long ago, something like, “A family consists of 6 members P, Q , R, X, Y, Z. Q is the son of R but R is not mother of Q. P and R are married couple. Y is the brother of R, X is the daughter of P. Z is the brother of P. How many female members are there in the family?” I’m sure many of you remember this type of question!

This developing antagonistic Dad/Son relationship can be seen at their recent rendezvous greetings — see above photo. It is now Son who must kowtow and lie on his back for long stretches of time while his Dad stands dominatingly and provokingly over him — just like he did to his littermates. Not until Dad is totally satisfied with attaining Son’s absolute submissive response — no flinching, no struggling, no show of displeasure — does Dad release his physical and psychological hold, allowing SF to slip out from under him if he does so calmly.

In addition, in front of Dad, Son can never be confrontational with his younger sister, so it’s almost a *forced* ranking: he’ll get knocked down by dad for snarling at her, AND for showing too much interest in her. To curb son’s attention towards his sister, Dad weaves himself between them when he greets the two of them — see video below. In other words, Dad wants control and it appears that he’s is getting ready to drive Son out. Boomerang: what goes around, comes around.

By the way, daughter’s response to SF is always very warm and affectionate. I’ve seen her only a couple of times display the oneupmanship that goes along with privileged rank: putting her paws on him. She’s not into dominating him at all and actually starts grooming Dad to get him to stop his dominating behavior towards SF.

Hi Janet, 

I’ve been setting up this month’s property patrols and have cancelled “Kinky’s Place” for the next 2 months as her family is studied by biology students, and her litter is expanding in areas and experience.

Something of note is the students feel Kinky is not only an exceptional mother, but also Leader of her family. Her Mate is a nicked up weary type male. She makes him seem flaccid in family support but perhaps that unfair. It may well be he does alot unseen and is tired.

But the family moves and happenings seem really directed by Kinky. 

Her moving to the area of poison oak habitat was really sharp. It’s open in some parts but always has bushes a mere hop away. This has ensured no golden eagle predation on pups and minimizes their visibility in play. Litter size is now 6.

The dozens upon dozens of meat caches she made past weeks still are being utilized by her. The pups are hunting voles and insects now. 

Yesterday, a doe died a couple miles from pups. A vehicle hit her and she made it to pass deep in woods. It’s hard to witness. And yet, it’s a prize to Kinky and her family. She was seen on it last night 5 times. It’s hard to relay the sheer work and mileage she puts in at time. 

She also is the one who sees off dogs or other coyote near her denning areas. 

All in all…summer mode is in gear. For Kinky I only wish her well. My dogs and I are very busy but also rest alot. 

I can only wonder at Kinky’s hard work and dedication to her pups. She was hard raised in her youth. And she is a force of nature as a Mom, Hunter, Patroller and Adaptive Scavenger. 

PS-She is only half mile from very thick groves of wild plum. I almost guarantee when they are ripe she moves her fam there!

To a meaty and fruity summer!

Lou

Thx Janet!

Of Leaders all I can say…experiencing them in all forms..is my personal belief is some are made by experience..the best are born…and I feel and have seen the strong female type are the best and most serious.

My male dogs are utility level serious workers and very experienced. And one is a Leader. Yet they have certain traits many males have..that lend to mistakes or easy going styles to degrees.

My females are immensely more focused and serious. If my males are seeing off strange dogs on property..the males will chase but gladly see off. 

The females are very earnest. You don’t want to be their focus in certain situations.

That’s just me and my limited experience. I think there are many more female coyote and wolves that are the core of their territory and families. It just hasn’t been as eye catching as larger bolder males. 

Lou

Wyoming spends record $4.2 million to kill coyotes, other predators

There are tried and true solutions to the issue that would cost much less, while at the same time benefiting both the environment and the ranching industry. Please read the following and spread this information. Walkaboutlou has SEEN first hand, over a period of more than 40 years of first-hand ranching experience, the detriments of slaughter, and the benefit of working WITH (not AGAINST) the environment with guard dogs. His words:

If they spent A FRACTION of that money on quality LGD dogs and behavioral education for farmers and ranchers to learn how to use such dogs it would make difference. This is all about a lifestyle certain “animal control” folks and certain hunters want. 

I know of large remote herds and ranges maintained by LGD that almost never experience such losses or behaviors. Excesseive herd sizes spread out in total isolation and not watched is the issue. Some individuals want to treat entire regions as one massive grazing pasture with no predatory wildlife. That’s what its about. 

That is old school manifest destiny ranching. And some still are willing to waste millions of dollars enforcing their beliefs and hobbies. 

When we hear individuals using terms such as vicious etc describing natural predators we have to stay calm and also see other side. Lambs and calves are dollar signs to ranchers..but also it really is emotionally upsetting to find them killed or injured graphically. It’s a “A Killing Crisis of Both Sides” since there are livestock being lost as well. The thing is…it’s a preventable Crisis. Yes.

But again the issue is behavioral shaping of wildlife. And lack of protection provided by fencing and LGD packs.

When we rent vast regions of BLM land or own vast regions which herds roam without daily protections these are magnetic to predators. When they find no resistance…its free food.

A 100 dollar bill on sidewalk doesn’t lay long.

Unprotected rarely checked herds in isolation will be checked out.

LGD are part of the answer. And the days are over not checking on herds weekly or even daily. 

Also…coyote are viewed with almost extremism for many. They are an excuse to hunt without regulation or rules and some revel in that. Also..they influence other laws allowing other species to be included in “management”. Coyote are very political so to speak and you can easily affect wildlife management of other species allowing anti fervor to flame unabated. 

So much to consider. More science and solutions are available more then ever. A pack of well bred well supported LGD truly act as a huge step resolving predator issues.

But many have a culture of resisting such solutions. 

I did want to add one more solution that’s not popular in modern circles..but was in older days. And works.

Locally in our region we have ONE (that i know of) 1 Range Rider. A Range Rider travels range and checks on or stays with livestock. The one I know travels daily via a switched team of 2 mules and a mustang. He literally with several dogs rides everywhere checking for wolves, trespassers, calf checks etc. His wide and unpredictable patrols keep wolves very nervous..and they simply pass cattle. They do not tarry. They fear his sounds and prescence. They are literally taught certain areas…are patrolled and enforced. 

Zero losses to predation. Range Riders are experts of land management and often have extensive training in animal behaviors as well as ecosystem enrichments. They improve herds, lands and wildlife coexistence.

But they aren’t free lol. 

Anyhow. I think my insights are minimal. The PROOFS found in fencing, husbandry, Range Riders and LGD packs are abundant and available. 

It just means not allowing people who literally want millions without feasible results to take control and take funds. They need more science then “ravens are vicious”.

(If I took millions before and there is still “predator issue” I either wasn’t thorough, I wasted your money, or I’ve found a way to funnel money for my own agendas.)

Journalist Paul Krantz — he’s interested in environmental issues and in speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves, i.e., the animals — asked if he could write a “profile” about me for SFGate. I had no idea what a profile was, but I agreed, as long as it would promote the coyotes, help with understanding them, and delineate guidelines for coexistence. Then I balked when he wanted to send out a photographer — I suggested that we could use an old photograph? He tried, but that photographer was off in a remote area and could not access the contracting papers that are necessary. So I reluctantly agreed to a photographer. And look what I got! A fantastic writeup by Paul and fantastic photos taken by Doug Zimmerman! And hopefully my message will reach more people. Thank you both!

Janet Kessler has been watching San Francisco’s wild coyotes for 16 years.

She knows individual coyotes by their faces, has assisted with genealogical studies, and spends time observing them almost every day. The 73-year-old self-taught naturalist is known to some as San Francisco’s “Coyote Lady” because of her efforts to document and advocate for what some would say are the city’s least appreciated residents. To read on, click here.

I was so interested in your answer here (“Do Coyotes Kill Each Other“). A month or so ago, I found what appeared to be a newly killed/largely eaten coyote just off trail in a regional park. My first thought was it was a mountain lion attack. In that event, I reported it to park rangers. They checked it out, but didn’t close the trail or post warning signs, so I figured maybe they saw something I didn’t. A fellow iNaturalist user suggested it may have been a territorial dispute between two male coyotes. I was skeptical, but there did not appear to be a good explanation. Your post offers clarity, but now I’m back to the larger predator theory…

(I’m a huge coyote fan and your blog is wonderful.)

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Hi Patti — All we can go by is what we’ve seen. What I wrote was what I’ve seen; and Lou — based on his own observations for many year — confirmed this. If you happen to see something different, by all means, it needs to be added to our information. So far, your evidence isn’t conclusive. Dogs also may have maul and killed the coyote, and then another predator could have scavenged the body. OR, even a car could have killed the coyote and it could have been dragged to where you found it. In that case, I would think the predator might have been a mountain lion. If you find out anything new, please keep me/us posted here. Thank you for your input! Janet

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Hi, Janet, thank you so much for the response. The only other piece of information that was interesting was this death coincided with the injury of a regular coyote I’d been “following” for the past several months. The day I found the cadaver, the coyote I’d been following had blood on his back leg and what appeared to be a small spot of blood on his head. The next day, he was limping. After that, he disappeared (approximately two months ago). The site of the cadaver showed quite a bit of trampled vegetation and tufts of fur. (I have photos, but I won’t forward them unless you’re interested.) Ultimately, you’re right–I don’t have anything conclusive, and, to my great frustration, this will likely remain one of nature’s mysteries.

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Hi Patti — Very interesting! It’s like a puzzle, isn’t it? Yes, I’d be very interested in the photos. Would you please send them to Janet@coyoteyipps.com? Raccoons can also kill coyotes, especially if the coyote is compromised in some way. Thank you! Janet

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Good morning, Janet,

Here are the photos. For background, I took them in conjunction with an app I’ve been using the past few months, iNaturalist. During my hikes, I take photos of anything interesting and add them to my iNaturalist page. I’ve found coyotes are among my favorite subjects—all of the circumstances of their lives and deaths, hence the photos. I’m going to share all of the details of what I saw/know about the incident at hand, so you have the full picture, and you can choose as much or as little of the information as is helpful.

I found the cadaver in a Regional Park, Orange/Orange County, California on 14 February 2023 around 11am. It was just off a Nature Trail, a 700-ish-foot long “interpretive” trail that loops around. The relatively small area is enclosed by a tall chain-link fence. The trail is narrow and the vegetation is a little thicker than other trails in the park. Theoretically, dogs aren’t allowed. There are two openings to the fenced area—from the back, there is a chain-link door that can be locked. The main entry is from a controlled access road (no cars allowed). I’ve never regarded it as a widely-used trail, but people do stumble across it.

The cadaver was just off the trail. In addition to the body, the vegetation was trampled and there were pieces of what appeared to be fur all around. The exposed meat was pink and there was no smell of death. Photo 1 is the scene as I first encountered it from one side of the trail. Photo 2 is from the other side of the trail. You can’t see it well, but there was a trail of trampled grass leading to the scene (the clearing where the cadaver was shows just at the top/middle of the second photo). [NOTE: These first two photo I’ve not included in the post since they really don’t show much].

Here was the cadaver itself. It had rained lightly that morning and the area was damp, but it was also fairly protected overhead by tree canopies, so not much sun. It appeared to me the body had saliva on parts of the fur, but it may have come from the rain. I got as many photos as I could, but I was really uncomfortable on the trail. It’s relatively isolated and the kill looked fresh. I was convinced the predator was still in the vicinity. 

When I finished my hike, I reported the find to the park rangers because my first impression was it was a mountain lion attack. They said they were interested and intended to check it out. The next day, I went back and found they had not closed the trail or posted warning signs, so I thought I may have been jumping to conclusions about a potential mountain lion in the area. After I posted the photos to iNaturalist, a fellow coyote enthusiast suggested the possibility of a fight between two coyotes. This death was in the general territory of the solo male I’d been following for a while (see below), and I thought the trampled ground and fur could just as easily have indicated a territorial fight. One further piece of information: I saw a bobcat very nearby the next day. I’m not sure he contributed to the death (or maybe he did), but he may have helped consume the body. 

As I mentioned, I found the cadaver around 11am. This second circumstance coincided with that find.

Earlier that day, around 8am, I encountered one of two coyotes I’d been “following” for a few months. This one had been traveling solo since his partner disappeared a few weeks earlier. He was moving a little slowly. Eventually, he wandered through a brushy area off trail and then laid down (photo 3). It began raining hard enough that I took cover beneath a nearby tree. He continued laying down throughout the rain. I never saw him get back up or leave the area. Later, when I got home, I looked at my photos and saw he appeared to have blood on his back, left leg (photos 1 and 2), and a possible smear across his forehead (photo 1). 

I saw him one more time, 15 February 2023. He was favoring the same back, left leg. I haven’t seen him since. (For context, up to that time, I had been seeing him solo and/or traveling with his mate, at least once a week for several months.) 

I’ve been so curious about what might have happened that I began two e-mails to you, but discarded them both. When I saw your piece about whether coyotes might kill each other, I finally took the opportunity to reach out. 

I hope I’ve given you enough information. In the event that you need more detail/clarifications, let me know. Otherwise, I wish you continued luck with your important work. Thank you for being there for these wonderful creatures. 

Patti 

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Hi Patti —

Wow! Thank you so much for sending. You are as detailed in your documentation as I am — don’t know many people like us! Most people report a sighting, and that’s it. It’s very interesting. And, of course, the bobcat could easily have been involved — though felines apparently don’t scavenge. If the coyote were already compromised, I’m wondering if a bobcat could have won a fight. However, I tend to think it was a dog: that would help explain why the other coyote also had injuries. :( May I forward this on to a friend who knows coyotes well and may have some insights? 

Janet

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Hi, Janet, 

You’re welcome to forward any/all info.

I’m glad you, too, are detail-oriented. I’m one of those people who believes having too much information never hurts, but having too little can!

Patti

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Hi Lou —
Hope you and your canine family are enjoying the rain! Wow, what a change from the fires caused by the drought. We’re really swinging back and forth with the weather!

Someone wrote me, trying to figure out how a coyote might have been killed — if indeed he was killed. She found my post on “Do coyotes kill each other” and thought I would be interested in this. Someone had suggested to her that there might have been a territorial fight between two coyotes, which is why she contacted me. Initially, she thought it might have been killed by a mountain lion, so she reported it to the rangers. But since the rangers didn’t close the trail or put up signs, she decided that the rangers didn’t think it was a mountain lion. Of course, at this point we’ll probably never KNOW, but I think we can paint possible scenarios. I suggested that it could have been a dog who killed the coyote. In your last comment to me it seemed as though this was a possibility. I didn’t think another coyote would have engaged in a territorial fight to the death. As for a bobcat, my thought is that if the coyote were at all compromised in any way, a bobcat could (maybe?) take down a coyote, but I’ve read that felines don’t scavenge. 

Might you have any thoughts about it — about this situation she describes here?

At least I thought you might be interested. She said she could provide clearer photos if that might help analyze the situation.

Warmly!
Janet

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Hi Janet,

Interesting stuff. It’s hard to really develop a clear picture via pics because the land often will tell you alot as well.

I would say either it’s a cougar kill OR someone shot it or it died naturally and turkey vultures scavenged it.

Turkey Vultures definetly trample grass and leave tuft of fur all over. Ironically so do cougar. If there were chewed bones bingo. Cougar. If bones were intact vultures. It looks very well picked. Very hungry cat or..vultures.

Bobcat I would rule out except in case of pups. Dogs are always suspect. I know in some areas here, coyote, ranch dogs and wolves all will feed on each other. But that’s here.

I’ve never heard of or experienced coyote killing each other. I’ve seen them in heated battle and seen some with terrible scars. But with each other they seem to have that switch and scuttling off is always an option. Unlike their enemies of dogs and wolves.

I just was examining an eaten skunk. Somebody was really hungry.

Take care stay safe,

Lou

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Hi Patti —

Well, here you go (above): more input.  If you examine your larger-file photos really closely, might you be able to tell if the bones have been chewed? Do you have vultures in your area? We don’t regularly have them here in San Francisco, neither do we have cougars, but they do come by on occasion. At any rate, it does not sound like it was a coyote/coyote thing.  Janet

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Janet, That was wonderful insight, simply put and helpful: bones intact-turkey vulture; bones chewed: mountain lion. 

If your source wants a closer examination of the area for his own edification, I’m just going to forward this one shot and hope it’s not too big. It’s easier to see what’s going on. There are two bones that appear chewed: one is next to his tail; the other is the foreleg that is draping over his skull (or what is left of it). The latter looks a little shattered. So much is gone–I just don’t see a lot of bone structure left behind at all. This appears to indicate mountain lion.

But yes, we definitely have turkey vultures and I have seen them pick a body clean. I didn’t see any in the area around this time, or the next couple of days, but that’s not to say they didn’t show up at a time I wasn’t there. 

Regardless, it looks like consensus is being reached on the original question, which is whether another coyote was responsible. The lingering question is what happened to the other park coyote, but it could have been a completely unrelated injury that ultimately turned deadly. I was so devastated to lose him. I hope new ones show up soon. Patti  

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Hi Patti — Yes! It looks like that: a mountain lion, which, interestingly, is what you originally thought — at least involved in eating some of the remains (we can’t know how he died)!  As for the other coyote, you know, if this one was its mate, that one may have moved on in order to avoid the same fate. Coyotes have more strength when they are in pairs, less so when alone. That one will now have to look for another mate. And that coyote may have been involved in the brawl and been injured, and gotten away. Just speculating, but this sounds reasonable, don’t you think? Thank you for this photo and your further assessment. 

Would it be okay with you if I posted the whole thread — I’m just thinking about it? I would take out the exact location, and use your name only if you wanted me to. Let me know. It was really interesting!

Janet

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Janet — Of course you can use whatever material you’d like of our interaction (masking the location at your discretion; using my name is fine). It’s the least I can do for all of the help you’ve given me! Again, many thanks for your attention to this. The overall incident upset me, although, ultimately, it was a good lesson in the “nature of nature.” But dealing with you has been such a pleasure! Patti

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