07/29/2026
COYOTE CONDO: BEYOND THE HEADLINES
The recent news coverage of the so-called "Coyote Condo" has generated plenty of attention. While some reports have focused on complaints and fear, the reality appears to be much more nuanced.
WHY THEY ARE HERE
A coyote family has temporarily taken up residence on a construction site in West Hollywood where work was paused some months ago. With little human activity, the unfinished building has provided a quiet, secure place for them to escape humans. This isn't unusual. In an urban landscape, coyotes will often choose secluded locations such as flood-control basins, utility corridors, green spaces, or, where available, spaces under buildings.
Coyotes are attracted to urban areas that provide two essentials for survival: harborage and reliable food resources. That's the key to understanding why coyotes live in our cities in the first place. They are not being "pushed" into urban neighborhoods - they are being pulled here by the abundant resources.
This distinction is critical because it also points to the solution. If we want fewer coyotes living in urban neighborhoods, we must reduce the resources they depend on for their survival.
FAMILY DYNAMICS
This particular coyote family consists of the male and female - the "king" and the "queen", and their 3 pups that are now about five months old. At this age, the pups are nearly the size of their parents. Reports also suggest there is a "helper," an offspring from a previous litter that remained with the family to assist in raising this year's pups. So, the number of animals utilizing this site is between 5 and 6.
SOCIAL DYNAMICS
Coyotes are fiercely, territorial. A pair - a king and queen - will defend a territory, keeping all other coyotes out. The size of that territory depends largely on the availability of food and shelter. In urban areas, where both can be abundant, territories may be as small as a half square mile, and in some cases, even smaller.
Coyotes do not remain together as one large family. Each fall, the year's pups disperse, leaving their parent's territory. Occasionally, one or two pups may remain as a "helper", but will eventually disperse. As a result, a coyote territory is typically occupied by the resident pair, sometimes a helper or two, and seasonally, the pups-of-the-year - not an ever-growing population.
DAYTIME SIGHTINGS TO INCREASE
As these five-month-old pups begin exploring farther within their parents' territory, the community should expect daytime sightings to increase.
Think of them as teenagers. They're curious, active, and still learning how to navigate their world. They'll make mistakes—stepping into traffic, stopping to watch a domestic dog out of curiosity, or hesitating when hazed. Their slower response to people should not be interpreted as boldness or aggression. They're simply inexperienced young animals still learning.
This is an excellent opportunity for the community to reinforce healthy boundaries by never feeding them and confidently hazing them when appropriate.
BEHAVIOR
Despite the headlines, we are not aware of this particular family being involved in any altercations with dogs. To date, we're unaware of any reports of the adults "escorting" or following people walking their dogs or displaying any territorial or defensive behavior often associated with resident coyotes with pups. That's both encouraging - and somewhat unusual. Instead, they appear to be maintaining a respectful distance from both people and dogs.
But that could change...
There are reports of people throwing food over the perimeter fence and leaving pails of water for the coyotes. In addition to this being unlawful under both California law and many local ordinances, more importantly, it is unhealthy for the animals and can alter their behavior towards people.
FEEDING THESE COYOTES COULD COST THEM THIER LIVES
Feeding these coyotes encourages them to remain at this location. More importantly, it is impeding the pups' ability to learn critical skills and where to forage for food in this urban landscape.
Even more concerning, if the coyotes begin to associate humans with handouts, they can become human-conditioned, and could begin approaching humans expecting food.
Should one of these coyotes approach too closely or nip at someone's hand, expecting a treat, the consequences will be severe. If a person is bitten, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would likely take the lead in an investigation, followed by lethal removal of the entire family.
If you truly care about these animals, do not feed them!
See something, say something! If you see someone feeding the coyotes, tossing food over the fence, please report it immediately to the Department of Fish and Wildlife through their anonymous CalTip 888-334-2258 or report it online here:
https://tip411.com/tips/new
TAKEAWAYS
* The coyotes' occupation of this property is temporary.
* The pups will begin dispersing (leaving the area) over the coming weeks.
* Feeding these coyotes encourages them to remain at this location and increases the risk of human-conditioning - a death sentence.
* The long-term solution is reducing food attractants—not removing individual coyotes.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Report people feeding the coyotes: CalTIP 888-334-2258
- Report concerning coyote behavior:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a75af96a5c3e49feb5f99da0ee293bb5
- Learn about coyote behavior, effective hazing, watch our latest educational video, and learn how to make a Coyote Scare Stick:
https://humanecontrol.com/coyote/los-angeles/
- Join us on Zoom Aug 13 at 7 pm for Coyote-Smart Los Angeles. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jfkzizPDTLOLEb1xc0qRWg
