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"Animals are here. They are part of our environment. We can't change the environment, so we must learn to co-exist," said Jeff Villepique Ph.D., of the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, at the co- sponsored Neighborhood Watch and Tails and Trails event on Nov. 8. More than 150 residents learned about reducing the conflicts between humans and local wildlife. Speaking predominately about coyotes and bobcats, Villepique explained that the problem is not peculiar to Four Seasons. It exists all over North America, even in large cities like Chicago. The coyote is the most frequent threat for conflict because it is bigger, more aggressive and has more young in each litter. The bobcat can also be aggressive when it has kittens. One problem with these two animals is that they can lose their fear of humans in several ways. For example, golf course grass attracts bunnies which are food for predators. As they hunt on the course, these predators often encounter humans and become accustomed to their presence. Unfortunately, some people intentionally feed the wildlife, thinking that they are doing a good thing. "This is a bad idea!" Villepique said. "…and it is illegal in California." Some people see coyotes as a lovable pet dog, and they see bobcats as cute kittens. Other people see these two as rampaging marauders; outlaws bent on killing dogs and small children in a terror campaign. "Neither is true," he said. The main way to reduce conflicts with Four Seasons' wildlife is to make ourselves less attractive to bobcats, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, snakes and rats. He suggested the use of "exclosures," covered dog areas and "catios," enclosed bay windows and porch areas for cats (subject to CC&Rs, of course). Also, residents should do everything they can to make them more afraid of humans, such as scaring them off with loud noises like whistles, horns and shouting. This makes contact less pleasurable. Another suggestion was to reduce their food supply by covering garbage carefully, feeding pets indoors, watching pets at all times when outdoors, using a leash, fencing (within CC&Rs guidelines) and cleaning up any loose seed that attracts their prey. Sighting wildlife doing no harm is not cause for Fish and Game to respond other than noting a sighting in their records, but Beaumont Animal Control will remove certain dangerous wildlife. Of course, if the animal is aggressive and tries to do harm residents should call 911. The next community-wide event for Neighborhood Watch will be and Holiday Potluck Brunch, Dec. 13, at 10 am. See flyers and posters in the Lodge. For information about Neighborhood Watch, contact Anita Worthen at (951) 769-9858. ~ Andi Henderson 32 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2017 Neighborhood Watch Bobcats, Coyotes, and Lions! Oh, My! Anita Worthen, Dr. Jeff Villepique, Martha Baumgarten, Susan Wilson and Donna Lewis at the November event

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