It was just past midnight on May 13, 2025 when a pack of five coyotes was seen at the corner of Elenda and Wagner by Culver city resident Cynthia Houck. The Vets Park neighborhood has seen coyotes for the past several years, but the spring, numbers are increasing all over Culver City. Bruno Sauer also reported seeing a pack at Braddock and La Salle on May 12; if these are the same animals is unknown.
Other online reports have mentioned coyotes behaving aggressively towards people, even those walking dogs.
Multiple factors are involved. The devastation from the wildfires in the Palisades and Altadena communities has driven more wildlife into densely inhabited urban areas. Spring always brings more coyotes out to hunt for food to bring back for their cubs.
From the city, “Historically, coyotes have existed in and around Culver City, finding safe haven in areas including the Oil Fields backing Blair Hills, the Culver City Park and the Culver City Crest Neighborhood. Additionally, other areas within the City where dense brush is prevalent (hill sides, areas in and around the Ballona creek, etc.) also provide spots where coyotes can safely build dens and reproduce.”
Some preventative measures might seem obvious – keep small pets indoors – but others may not, such as securing outside water sources. Keeping these facts in focus can offer safety and peace of mind.
- Show your pets you love them by never leaving them unattended outdoors.
- Do not leave small children unattended outdoors.
- Do not feed or leave out food for local wildlife (ie., raccoons, opossum, outdoor cats).
- Keep your property clear of fruit droppings and secure refuse containers.
- Cover and/or seal off any outside water sources
- Clean up messy bird feeders or spilled birdseed.
- Clean up, cover and/or seal off compost piles.
- Secure or store garbage bins in enclosed structures or securely strap down lids.
- Cats should be kept indoors at all times and dogs should be walked on a leash, not exceeding six feet in length.
- Block “crawl space” access under decks, houses, storage sheds and containers
- Consider using motion lights when possible to alert you to activity outdoors
If you are concerned by coyote behavior, reach over to Culver City Animal Services.
Wildlife Watch is a partnership program in which the community and city departments work to establish a comprehensive and integrated management strategy for minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and improving the quality of life in urban settings.
Culver City residents are participating in Wildlife Watch in order to reduce the number of coyote encounters and keep neighborhoods safe. Email Leon Lopez to join the Wildlife Watch program.