Coyotes displaced by the January 2025 Palisades Fire are showing up in Santa Monica neighborhoods with increasing frequency, and the problem is concentrated north of Montana Avenue.

Santa Monica city officials issued a public warning on May 20 about a larger coyote presence, attributing the surge to the fire destroying habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains. The blaze burned approximately 23,700 acres, with nearly 20,000 falling within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.

Sightings have been reported near Fourth Street and Lincoln Boulevard. On July 28, a resident in the Ocean Park NE neighborhood reported spotting a coyote at the corner of Hollister and Beverley, expressing concern for a stray cat in the area, according to Patch.

A community flyer posted on a tree near Fourth Street warned of a pack of four coyotes roaming nightly between Georgina and Alta avenues on 4th Street, reporting three small dogs killed and four others seriously injured while being walked on-leash. The flyer said the animals are also active during daytime, lying in wait in bushes and lunging at passersby.

The city has no formal response plan.

Santa Monica lacks a management plan

Despite the escalating encounters, Santa Monica has not adopted a formal coyote management plan. Neighboring cities including West Hollywood, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Redondo Beach have each adopted comprehensive plans with tiered response protocols. Santa Monica relies on its Animal Control Unit, housed under the police department, to handle incidents case by case.

The city updated its "How to Live Safely with Urban Coyotes" guidance in May 2025, acknowledging the spike in sightings north of Montana Avenue. SMPD Animal Control handled 55 dispatched calls during the week of July 5–11, which included responses to coyote sightings, according to the department's weekly recap.

The Daily Press reported that the broader surge in coyote activity across Los Angeles County has been linked to the loss of thousands of acres of habitat from both the Palisades and Eaton fires in 2025. Coyotes are also in pup-rearing season, which runs roughly March through late summer, making adults more protective and more active during daylight hours.

What to do if you encounter a coyote

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends "hazing" as the primary response: stand your ground, wave your arms to appear larger, and shout "Go away, coyote!" Use noisemakers like whistles, air horns, or banging pots. Do not run.

Additional CDFW precautions include securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids, removing fallen fruit and standing water from yards, keeping cats indoors, and walking dogs on leashes no longer than six feet. Retractable leashes should be avoided. Feeding coyotes is illegal under California law.

Residents can report coyote sightings to Santa Monica Animal Control at (310) 458-8595. Bite incidents should be reported to CDFW at 888-334-2258.