Meeting to focus on coyotes in FV

Coyotes will be the topic of a meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Green Valley Family Clubhouse. The meeting is being hosted by Green Valley resident Stephen Schwarz and presented by Dave Dodge of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Debora Martin, director of the non-profit Coyotes in Orange County, said information will be provided on coyote ecology and behavior.

The evening will include a power point presentation on what to do if you encounter a coyote. The class will also include time for questions and answers.

“What this class is designed to do is provide the residents with the tools necessary to deter coyotes from their neighborhoods by means of information and education,” Martin said. “The ideal situation under the Coyote Management Plan adopted by the city of Fountain Valley is to form a hazing committee of volunteer residents and when a coyote sighting is reported to the FVPD, this volunteer committee will be contacted to send the hazing committee out to that area to haze the coyote out of that area.”

Hazing involves the use of deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourage an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain a coyote’s fear of humans and deter them from back yards and play spaces. The Green Valley Family Clubhouse is at 10739 Los Jardines West. Those planning to attend should RSVP by calling (714) 962-8205.