Below is our interactive sighting map. We “pin” the sightings that have been reported on this site. The accuracy of your reporting, especially the date, time, location, and type of interaction/activity information is critical to the success of our program and our ability to get our public safety officials to take the appropriate actions based on the coyote behavior.
The map below includes coyote activity from April 2016 through October 2016.
The map below includes coyote activity from October 2017 to the last report shown below.
As you will note, there has been a large drop off of reported coyote sightings. The local consensus is that the drop off has been caused by a mix of the following:
- Pet owners taking more precautions with their pets (mainly cats)
- Fewer pets available to be attacked (via care, or attrition)
- Fewer pet remains being found (less evidence of coyote presence)
- Coyote sightings have become commonplace so fear/need to report has diminished
- There are fewer coyotes visiting Rossmoor (no rain so the gates are down, gates aren’t pried open by people, less attractive due to fewer easy food offerings, etc.)
This does not mean the coyotes are not in the neighborhood.
Please continue to use caution, beware of your surroundings (especially at dusk and dawn), and protect your pets.
Monthly reporting summaries are available below:
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||
| January | January (2) | January (0) | ||||
| February | February (1) | February (6) | ||||
| March | March (2) | March (1) | ||||
| April | April (1) | April (1) | ||||
| May | May (1) | May (3) | ||||
| June | June (0) | June (2) | ||||
| July | July (0) | July (4) | July (8) | |||
| August | August (2) | August (2) | August (6) | |||
| September | September (0) | September (3) | September (11) | |||
| October | October | October (2) | October (10) | |||
| November | November | November (1) | November (5) | |||
| December | December | December (1) | December (6)* |
Numbers in parentheses are the number of unique reports for that month.
Note: the County (Orange County Animal Care) and State (Department of Fish And Wildlife) agencies who are charged with intervening when coyote behavior warrants it (in other words when a human is attacked and seriously injured) are not interested in this data until such time as an indecent with a human occurs. At that time, they can use this data to help track and possibly eliminate the offending coyote(s). You are welcome to report any information you have/witness to these agencies. However, it is their policy that unless a human is attacked, there is NO call for action of any kind.
*Count corrected to reflect late report