Some Presidio trails now are closed to dogs
Several trails in San Francisco’s Presidio will be closed to dog walkers through the fall to accommodate coyote pupping activities.
“To reduce the potential for coyote/dog conflict, we’ve proactively closed large sections of the Park Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail to dog walking,” federal park officials wrote in an update.
While coyotes, which returned to the Presidio just over a decade ago, are active within the national park throughout the year, spring marks the beginning of the annual pupping season. During the next few months, coyote parents are particularly protective of their den sites.
The Presidio’s 24 miles of trails remain open to people walking without dogs, although hikers should be prepared for more frequent coyote encounters than usual. A downloadable trail map of the affected areas is on the park’s website.
“Coyote parents may attempt to herd people and dogs away from denning areas, so it’s important to give them plenty of space during this time,” the Presidio said in its advisory.
Human and coyote conflicts are rare, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project.
The Presidio Trust utilizes a monitoring program to track the movement of the coyotes within the Presidio through temporary GPS tracking collars.
Officials anticipate the pups to be born from late March to early April.
Visitors entering the park with dogs are required to keep them on leash. The Presidio advises individuals with dogs who encounter a coyote to promptly leave the area and to be prepared to “be assertive and aggressive” while retreating. Running is discouraged.
As of this month, the Presidio’s coyote population consists of one alpha breeding pair and the pups born last March. The bonded male and female pair are longterm park residents and work to keep nonresident coyotes out of their territory.
The Presidio offers the following tips for mitigating encounters between coyotes and dogs:
• Keep your distance; do not approach the coyote.
• Keep your dog on a leash and under your control.
• Observe posted signs about coyote activity in the park.
• Supervise children when outdoors.
• Never attempt to feed a coyote.
If you encounter a coyote within 50 feet and the coyote does not move away on its own, here are ways you can intimidate the animal to help it retain a fear of humans:
• Be as big and loud as possible; shout in a deep, loud and aggressive voice.
• Wave your arms and throw small objects (to scare, not injure).
• Maintain eye contact, which makes them uncomfortable and timid.
If the coyote continues to approach, do not run or turn your back on the coyote, but continue to exaggerate the above gestures while backing away slowly.
Any incidents should be reported to the Presidio Wildlife Hotline at 415-561-4270 or coyote@presidiotrust.gov.