Tag: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On July 27, residents raised concerns about coyotes who occupied the abandoned construction site located at 939 N. Spalding Avenue/7732 Romaine Street. Neighbors of the construction site have reportedly caught surveillance footage of at least four coyotes who appear to have moved into the unfinished structure.

Wildlife experts have indicated that coyotes are known to occupy the dens of other species. Reports indicate that AA CA Property 2 LLC and designer JFAK Architects planned a 4-story, 22-unit condominium complex complete with subterranean parking, and designated to become low-income affordable housing units.

West Hollywood residents reported the coyote citing’s and their baying, yelping, and howling in the night. Wildlife experts indicated that initially well-meaning nature lovers were feeding the predators. Authorities explained that by feeding them, they could lose their fear of humans. By not foraging for their own food, they would rely on humans to eat.

Reports indicate that the coyotes had already begun venturing out in broad daylight.

The City of West Hollywood has an entire section on their website dedicated to Coyote Management.

The following came directly from the website of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“Coyotes provide many ecosystem benefits, such as controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. They will consume nearly anything, including rodents, rabbits, birds and eggs, reptiles, fruits, and plants, as well as pet food, human food, and trash.

Potential conflict with coyotes may occur due to property damage, loss of pets or small livestock, or human health and safety concerns if a coyote loses its natural fear of humans.”

According to wildlife experts, Coyotes are omnivores, meaning they will eat both plants and animals. June-August coyotes are more active as it is weaning season. This is when they are more protective of their dens.

They are on the hunt for food. Food could consist of anything from berries, lizards, rodents, rabbits, small mammals, goats, antelopes, small deer, fawns…

And while coyotes are generally afraid of humans, they are also opportunistic predators and have been known to attack small children.

West Hollywood West gave the following advice on their X social media page
Keep your distance
Keep dogs on a leash
Keep cats indoors
Don’t leave food outside
Keep trash bins closed

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On July 14, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the arrest of six poachers caught fishing for Spiny Lobster out of season. The Spiny Lobster fishing season ended March 18. A total of 34 lobsters were found stuffed in bags, vehicles, and some were hidden in a baby stroller on the Santa Monica Pier. According to reports, wildlife detection dogs located the lobsters. CDFW released the lobsters back into the ocean. It is illegal to fish for the Spiny Lobster currently because the loss of egg-bearing females could harm the fishery and negatively impact those who catch lobsters legally for a living. The female spiny lobster is able to produce anywhere between 50,000-800,000 eggs per brood. The gestational period of the spiny lobster is approximately 10 weeks. According to the CDFW website, the recreational fishery for spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is closed as of March 19, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. The six suspects were arrested on suspicion of fishing violations including; fishing for lobster out of season, exceeding the daily bag limit, possession of undersized lobster, using a hook and line to catch lobster, and possessing over three times the daily limit. Penalties can include fines up to $1,000 and one year in jail. It is also illegal to fish for the Giant Sea Bass or Abalone in the state of California. By Sharon

WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, September 1, a 5-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while picnicking with family and friends. Children were together nearby when the mountain lion attacked. He grabbed the child by his head and began to drag him off when his father quickly intervened. The child was reportedly air-lifted to an area hospital for treatment.

Photo by Marek Okon

One of the child’s relatives first told KTLA that,

“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” she explained. “The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”

Canyon News reached out to California State Park Rangers for more information. The Communications Manager of the California Department of Fish And Wildlife responded with the following statement.

“California State Parks (State Parks) rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1, at 4:21 p.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wildlife officers, National Park Service personnel, and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.

A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, consisting of at least six adults and a few children. The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries.

One or more adults charged at the lion, and it released the boy. Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climb up a nearby tree.

The lion remained in the tree until [the] State Parks rangers arrived. In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm.

The boy was airlifted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was eventually released in the early morning hours of Monday, September 2.

Per standard protocol, wildlife officers contacted the victim and family at the hospital to obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing. Those evidence samples were confirmed DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.

CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured.”

By Sharon

MALIBU—On March 17, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that a 25 ft. long, 13,000 lb. gray whale washed up on Little Dume Beach. The first sighting of the whale was while it was still in the surf, and was reported to The California Wildlife Center on Saturday, March 16, at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Authorities have indicated that the whale that washed up on Little Dume Beach was a male gray whale calf. The cause of the death of the whale is unknown.

Canyon News reached out to the Assistant Information Officer for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Amanda McDermot, but did not hear back in time for print.

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a gray whale is identified by “their slate gray coloration with gray and white patches on the skin. They are covered in abrasions, blotches, scars, and clusters of white barnacles and orange whale lice. Adult males average 45-46 ft (13.7-14m) in length with adult females being slightly larger.”

Whale lice are reportedly small crablike creatures that crawl all over the whale’s head. They can be beneficial as they feed off of the algae growing on the whale.

Whales Tail LLC reports that the adult females are slightly larger and reach about 50 feet in length. Both sexes weigh up to 30-40 tons. The gray whale’s flukes or tail can span up to 10 feet.

Oregon State University confirms in its reports that the gray whale has few predators. The only natural predators of gray whales are killer whales and large sharks. Killer whales tend to show up along the Oregon coast during late April and May and may target females and calves migrating north during feeding season.

By Sharon