Tag: California Fish And Wildlife

SANTA MONICA—On July 13, video was captured of a fisherman off the Santa Monic Pier who was dragged into the water by a juvenile shark on his fishing line. A California local posted the scene on Instagram. The family of the fisherman was pulling on the other end of reel as the fisherman appeared to be attempting to climb a rope back up to the pier, when he got pulled back down into the water a second time. After the second fall into the water, the fisherman was rescued without any injuries. Reports indicate that it is not uncommon for juvenile white sharks to be active around the Santa Monica Pier. Smaller sharks that feed on small fish and stingrays. They measure no more than 10 feet long. There are many bacteria warnings for area beaches that are listed on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health webpage. Health officials warn against the consumption of fish and other seafood caught off the Santa Monica Pier due to “toxic levels of mercury and PCBs found in the very waters the sharks were swimming in. According to the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation handbook, updated January 13, 2026, Leopard Shark fishing is open year-round in all depths with specific details limits are in the handbook. The fisherman may have been fishing for White Shark, which is illegal. The California Fish and Wildlife will determine if his actions were intentional. White shark may not be taken, except under permit issued by the Department pursuant to Section 1002 of the Fish and Game Code for scientific or educational purposes. Shark, White, Taking and Attracting (FGC §5517) (a) Except as authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 1002, or as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8599, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (1) Take any white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). (2) Use any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum to attract any white shark. (3) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water within one nautical mile of any shoreline, pier, or jetty when a white shark is either visible or known to be present. (4) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water for the purpose of viewing any shark when a white shark is visible or known to be present. (b) For purposes of this section, “shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum” means any natural or manufactured product or device used to attract sharks by the sense of taste, smell, or sight, including, but not limited to, blood, fish, or other material upon which sharks may feed, and surface or underwater decoys. By Sharon

WOODLAND HILLS—On May 5, at approximately 4 a.m., a wild coyote entered the home of Mia Shoshan. The family, who was asleep at the time were awakened by the commotion when the coyote spooked the cat.

According to reports, the cat was walking on top of the dining room chairs and hissing at the coyote. 

Shoshan first told KTLA News that her brother was home at the time and came face-to-face with the coyote captured on surveillance video. The coyote made a quick exit out the same pet door.

Canyon News reached out to Shoshan via messenger, but did not hear back in time for print.

Coyote sightings are not rare in Woodland Hills. On May 29, 2022, a coyote entered the home of Julie Levine via a pet door. Levine told reporters the coyote was only inside for about three minutes.

On December 3, 2022, a toddler was attacked by a coyote on the front lawn of their Woodland Hills home. NBC4 first reported that Ariel Eliyahou heard her daughter’s distressed cries and thought the child must have fallen and hurt herself. The coyote had knocked the little girl down and was attempting to drag her away by the leg when the father of the child pulled up, grabbed the little girl, and scared off the coyote.

Coyotes are most prevalent in their mating season from February-March. Many of the sightings in residential areas in California have been from January through May.

The California Fish and Wildlife Department advise it is illegal to relocate a coyote.  A special permit is required when coyotes become an endangerment to those in residential areas. If a wildlife conflict occurs in an urban environment, Wildlife California encourages residents to dial 911.

By Sharon