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Mange Cases Are Growing in San Francisco

I’m visiting mange again. This video shows a young mother coyote who developed the condition over the summer. The first part of the video was taken in mid-September showing her ragged tail and pocked face. The last part of the video — for comparison — was taken in mid-June when she was still not afflicted.

I’m seeing more cases of the horrible disease here in San Francisco, whereas two years ago I never ever saw it at all here. Mange is caused by a small mite which burrows deep into the skin of canids, where it lays its eggs and multiplies, causing intense itching and unsightly scabbing and hair loss, mostly around the face, ears, legs and tail. It’s a horrible and painful condition.

There are two types of mange apparently: sarcoptic and demodectic, which are caused by different mites. Sarcoptic mange is very contagious and is caused by a roundish, eight-legged mite. Demodectic mange is not contagious and is caused by a cigar-shaped mite which actually all canids carry: their healthy immune systems keep the mite in check naturally. However, when immune systems are weakened, this mite can take over and results in mange. Rat poison is known to weaken immune systems.

Some of the afflicted animals are able to mount an immune response to mange, but many succumb to eventual dehydration and starvation, and secondary infection.

My information about mange (above) comes from the American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/mange-what-you-need-to-know/

A systematic review of the effectiveness of some wildlife treatments can be found here: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3340-z

CAFW, possibly through a licensed rehabber, can administer a medication known as Bravecto (Fluralaner) in the wild without removing a coyote from its territory or family situation: this medication improves their condition noticeably. A stronger medication is Ivermectin, but this medication requires monitoring, which is difficult in wild animals. If you have questions about a coyote with mange, please contact the folks at @yggdrasilwildlife or @claremont_wildlife_habitat.

Presentation Again!

I’ve been invited to give my presentation again by the prestigious Telegraph Hill Dwellers, so if you missed it the first time and wanted to come, please come! It will be the same presentation I gave at the Park Branch Library on August 31st, but this one will encompass a bit about the North Beach coyote family.

I’ll be explaining their population structure and distribution, family life and interactions, and how to understand and diminish dog encounters — all based on my own observations here in San Francisco. I’ll also talk briefly about the coyotes in North Beach.

*WHERE: North Beach Library Meeting Room
850 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
WHEN: Tuesday, November 12th
5:30 to 7:30 pm

First come, first serve, so be sure to come early to claim your space!

Janet “The Coyote Lady” Kessler is a self-taught naturalist who has spent nearly two decades conducting daily field research documenting urban coyote behavior and family life. In this presentation, Kessler will share her first-hand information, compassion and love for the animals, as she tells you what you need to know about them.

Kessler will discuss where they are, who they are and how to get along. She will also describe what to expect if you have a dog and you encounter a coyote. This talk will talk a little about the North Beach coyotes.

Documenting her experiences with a camera, Kessler has come to know and identify most of the coyotes and their families here in San Francisco. Recently, she has been able to map the general extent of each of their territories and some of their dispersal here in the City. Kessler has collaborated with Dr. Benjamin Sacks’ genetic lab at UC Davis where the DNA from scat she collected is being analyzed.

Kudos from my August 31st talk:

I really enjoyed your presentation – and so did many others who attended it who I got to talk to as we were walking out/hanging out in front afterwards. I have seen a number of presentations on coyotes over the past few years – and your’s, of course, was very personal, unique and incredibly sincere. I was very touched by it – and I could tell others were as well.

Janet, your talk at the Park branch was flat out brilliant as far as I’m concerned. I could say more, and likely will down the line.

I enjoyed your presentation at the Park Library branch yesterday – very informative.

Thank you for the LOVELY presentation about Coyote in San Francisco. We thoroughly enjoyed your talk and were duly impressed with the organization, confidence, and sense of humor you brought to it. We learned a lot.
We can’t think of anything we’d like to see differently. It was a good length, and the photography (of course, as we know) was fantastic. I liked that you mentioned at a couple of points about how much time was left; it was a nice touch.We were impressed with your delivery and the experience as a whole. Loved the coyote calls and sound aspects!!
It warmed our hearts walking up to the library and seeing such a good turnout! What? Look at that all these folks here for Janet! So awesome. We spoke to folks in line who were big fans but never met you, and [we] both felt so lucky to know you for the years we have and on a friendly level. You’re a local celebrity and we have an inside scoop.
A big congratulations. Seriously, we can’t think of a thing to make it better. This is a labor of love, and it shows.

It was really good! And what a turnout!!! Pithy, instructive, humorous and concise, delivered with calm authority and a type of reverence that was palpable and contagious. Thank you for your dedication, spine, and passion. Our urban nature experience is richer for it.