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In the first few months of 2025, Menlo Park residents have been taking to Nextdoor, Facebook and other social media sites to report sightings of coyotes throughout the city. Coyotes have been spotted in broad daylight downtown, near Burgess Park, near Sharon Park and in other areas of West Menlo Park.
Resident Ken Wolff saw one of the coyotes on Cloud Avenue in West Menlo Park while on a bike ride. Wolff said that the canine seemed “fairly used to traffic and people.”
“The coyote stepped onto the sidewalk (very considerate) and took a few looks into neighbors’ yards, but continued on toward the (Holy Cross) cemetery,” he wrote in a message to this news organization.
Colleen Crowley, communications manager for the Peninsula Humane Society, which runs animal control in San Mateo County, told this news organization that the organization has received an increase in calls regarding coyote sightings in the last month or so. She also said they get a lot of calls this time of year.
Late winter and early spring is the time when coyotes are out looking for mates, dens and food for their pups.
The Peninsula Humane Society recommends that residents who spot coyotes give them a wide berth. Residents can make loud noises to frighten off coyotes and ensure that they maintain a healthy fear of humans. She also mentioned that residents should remove any food or water that may attract coyotes to their properties.
“Give them space, back away if you encounter a coyote,” said Crowley. “Try not to leave pet food and water outside, because it can attract coyotes. Fallen fruit from trees may do this as well.”
Crowley said that in general, unless wildlife is sick, injured or orphaned, animal control does not interfere with wildlife spotted in suburban and urban areas. However, residents are encouraged to report any wildlife that is acting aggressively toward humans or pets, or any direct contact with wildlife.
Residents can also report any coyote sightings at bayareacoyote.org — a project that aims to document human-coyote interactions throughout the Bay Area in order to help foster wildlife coexistence in suburban areas.
