altadenablog

Bears are the topic at Eaton Canyon Nature Center Wed. night

The Sierra Club's Forest Committee will host a special program, “Grizzlies and Black Bears in the San Gabriel Mountains,” at 7:30 PM Wed., Jan. 25 at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena.

Noted wildlife biologist Kevin Brennan will trace the history of the mighty grizzly bear that used to dominate local mountains and valleys until the rise of two-legged competition. Brennan, who has worked for 20 years with the California Department of Fish & Game, will also discuss the history and habits of the black bear that now roams the San Gabriels and, sometimes, our neighborhoods and hot tubs.  

The program also will include the latest on the National Park Service’s proposal for a National Recreation Area for the San Gabriel Mountains and River. 

A social reception at 7 PM precedes the 7:30 PM program.

The program is free and the public is welcome. For information, email Don Bremner at donbremner@earthlink.net or John Monsen at wildernessjfm@aol.com.

 

Bobcat, Crescent Drive at Bowring

Reader Doris Finch sent this picture of the backside of a wild tabby who was going through her yard this morning, last seen heading through the backyards on the west side of Bowring.

Mangey coyote at Borderdena

Reader Christy Moision shared these pictures:

I saw this mangy guy on my street -- Atchison, about a half-block east of Lake (yes, Pasadena, but just barely!), at 10:45 this morning.  The pictures aren't as clear as I'd like but he was a mess. 

We've had several sightings of mangy coyotes in the past few months.  

Home invasion: coyotes break through screen Tuesday night in a try for cats

Reader Pat Brayer and her cats had a scary encounter last night at their home near Lake Avenue and Palm Street:

Two coyotes broke through my screen porch, just off my kitchen, to get my cats who were sitting in the screen porch.  I was able to scare them off, and thankfully cats are safe, but a minute longer and they would have gotten one or two of them and actually invaded my home.

In the light of day, Pat wrote us again today:

Now that it's the next day and I can see the damage - on two sides - to the screen porch, I can't begin to tell you how scary it was.  Everyone needs to be especially careful.  They're not fearful of people, sounds or lights anymore.

On a related note, check out this picture from Boulder, Colorado, which also has critter problems.

And now ... bears

by Timothy Rutt

Coyotes (and Paco) have been the main topic in town lately, but now the bears are getting restive.

Residents of the Chaney Trail neighborhood report increased bear activity around garbage day, and it's recommended to keep your garbage inside and bring it out the morning of trash collection.  (There was some discussion as to a good deterrant -- a perimeter of predator urine, available online, might keep them away, and so might a "fence" of omnivore -- i.e. human -- urine. How you draw the perimeter is up to you, but small boys might find this chore fun  ...)

And reader Lee Johnson spotted a bear a few feet from the picture window at the 200 block of Taos Road on Aug. 15: "Easily scared away but too close for comfort, especially with open windows."

 

 

Local coyotes may be vulnerable to mange

Reader Kyria Wimberly sent along this photo of a hairless creature coming down Windfall St. to Loma Alta Dr. on July 24, and wondered what it was.

Of course, we sent it immediately to our canid expert Dr. Barkman (Jane L. Brackman, Ph.D) for an opinion.  And it's not good: ...

"If the photo indicates the coyote has no hair, then it looks like the mange problem that has become so prevalent in the south, has spread all the way to southern CA."

Mange is a serious skin disease, where a warm-blooded animal is infested by mites that tunnel under the skin to feed and to breed. It leads to skin irritation, which leads to patchy hair and baldness.  Sometimes the mites burrow under the footpads, making coyotes unable to walk.  Left unchecked, mange can cause death.

A quick online check finds that coyotes are particularly susceptible because of dirty living conditions and frequent malnutrition which can compromise their immune system.

Losing their coat means that coyotes are more vulnerable to their environment, and makes them more likely to go hunting in the day rather than in the cold of night.

We also found a picture from the US Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Services of a coyote with mange that looks just like Wimberly's photo.  But so far, nobody knows for sure if our local coyotes have mange or if it is spreading.

Building a better mousetrap for foothill living

Lori Paul, who contributed an article about living with wildlife not long ago, said we could reprint this 2010 email to the Chaney Trail newsgroup about living with rodents.  A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was recently found poisoned, probably from eating a poisoned rodent.  Poison-based pest control methods have a habit of making their way into the environment, and here are some suggestions to avoid that.

by Lori Paul

Mice and woodrats invade garages, attics, subfloors, and even the engine compartments of RVs and vehicles that are parked in one place for a prolonged time. Fortunately, woodrats are not "sewer rats," they are the native "pack rats" that live in our foothills and arroyos, though they will travel into urban areas and become a nuisance. They often have white or tan bellies, large ears, prominent "ink drop" eyes, and very long (often slightly furred) tails. Mice and rats seek what all wildlife needs... food, water and shelter. Garages, tool sheds, engine compartments, etc. inadvertently provide one or more of these needed things. Find out what the rats are there for. The more needs you meet for them, the more incentive these animals have to enter your garage, attic, storage shed, or home.

Pictured: a bushy-tailed woodrat, from Wikipedia Commons.

Remove all sources of water and food that intruding mice and rats might find (such as bags of dog kibble, wildbird seed, or old camping food supplies). Reduce "nesting areas" by eliminating boxes full of items the rodents can shred, such as old newspapers, magazines or clothes (they'll be ruined anyway by the rodents nesting in them). Put stored clothes, blankets, books and valuables in plastic storage containers with snap lids instead of cardboard boxes. Such plastic file boxes and storage containers are very inexpensive at Big Lots and many 99 cent stores.
 
Most importantly: plug up wherever rodents are getting in. If you don't, in spite of all your efforts and expense, more rats will return for every one you kill or live trap out. Put fine mesh (available at OSH and most hardware stores) across holes or outside vents (also important for reducing fire risk from embers blown into your garage or attic!). Add metal weather stripping flanges on the bottom of your garage door. Don't leave your garage door open for prolonged lengths of time, especially when you are not around! Rodents will enter that way, as well as lizards and snakes. Plug holes around pipes with fine aviary wire mesh bent around the opening and then pack steel wool around the pipe (Brillo pads work well, because the soap in the steel wool is an added deterrent). Mice and rats will not chew through the steel wool.

Pack of 8 to 10 coyotes spotted Sunday on Marcheta St.

Reader Salina tells us about seeing a pack of coyotes -- about eight to ten of them, in fact -- meeting up on Marcheta St. between Lake Ave. and Maiden Lane at about 3:20 AM Sunday.  Keep your pets indoors!

UPDATE: Dr. Barkman speaks in the comments.

 

Critter activity: bear on Skyview, coyotes on Mar Vista

Reader Amy tells us:

We live on Skyview Drive near Crescent.  A fairly large black bear walked by our kitchen window, in the front yard, at around 6:45am [Thurs.].  It came within five feet of our window and walked into neighbor's yard.  My husband and dog checked our backyard and found evidence of the bear's passing through or perhaps staying the night?  Patio furniture cushions were down and my toddlers inflatable donkey jumper was all the way across the yard deflated with many teeth or claw marks on it.  I walked our street a couple hours later and saw many trash cans turned over and food on the ground.  We called animal control immediately after sighting, but never saw anyone come out.  I know we must learn to live with the bears, but it was our first sighting and in our front and back yard.  We have a toddler and a dog to worry about.  Got to be watchful.  Just wanted to share news with the neighbors.

   And from EveAnna on Mar Vista:

At noon, NOON!, a week ago on 7/7/2011 TWO coyotes were spotted heading into the backyard of 1992 Mar Vista Ave. See photo attached.

Today [July 14] at 7 AM ... a woman was crying and yelling at a coyote ... She had a towel and blanket scooping something up. A pet might have been killed by the coyote. We know no more about this event.

Urine the money

Following Dr. Barkman's suggestion, we went looking for wolf urine to keep the coyotes away -- and where better to start your shopping than at Amazon?  And guess what: Amazon DOES stock wolf urine.

Bad news: they won't ship it to California.  (We didn't know there was ANYTHING forbidden in California other than having a job-creating business). 

Good news: the customer reviews.  We'll leave it at that.

Of course, there's always PMart.

 

 

Coyote Summer: Dr. Barkman puts in her two scents

We are pleased to have a real Ph.D. canid scientist, Jane Brackman, aka "Dr. Barkman," on our list of people who give straight answers to our often-stupid questions.  She sent us this email:

Your commenters are right and wrong.

Coyotes will kill and eat dogs and cats if given a chance. Unfortunately this is what happens when an amateur meets a professional.  And yes, the easier the meal is to acquire, the more likely a hungry coyote will return to the scene of the crime.  
 
On the other hand, rabies is not a problem right now in coyote populations in southern California.  Be more afraid of your cat. If you let cats out at night to roam free you’re providing it an opportunity to be exposed to rabid wild life.  In addition, cat owners are less likely to make sure their cats have the county required rabies vaccination.  
 
Dog owners should be much more concerned about canine parvovirus and distemper.  It isn’t unusual to see large die-offs of coyotes every 15 years or so due to these diseases. Make sure your dog is up to date on her vaccinations.
 
Regarding attacking children, coyote attacks are extremely rare.  But they do happen.  (Your neighbor’s dog is more likely to attack your kid than a coyote.  And the culprit is more likely to be a cocker spaniel than a pit bull, but then that’s another story.)

Dog found, coyote attack on Canyon Crest this weekend

Two items from the Canyon Crest neighborhood:

Michiko found an Akita male dog with no name tag, pictured.  If it's yours, please call 818-317-0501.

UPDATE:  The Akita has been moved to Pasadena Humane Society: http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=PSDN.A291176

Reader Tamara Tolkin, who lives on Canyon Crest, said that her dogs were barking at about 10 AM Friday at an intruder: a coyote who hopped over her six foot backyard fence.  The coyote attacked both dogs, but only managed to bite the smaller one before getting away. There's been too much of this going on lately.

Poisoned juvenile hawk found in Chaney Trail neighborhood

Pictured: a Cooper's Hawk, from Wikipedia Commons.

We picked up this information from the Chaney Trail newsgroup, and it's worth passing along:

A sick juvenile hawk was found in the Chaney Trail area.  It was assessed as being poisoned and was sent to the Pasadena Humane Society, but the neurological damage was too grave.  Lori Paul said that it was likely poisoned by eating a rodent that had eaten poisoned bait.

According to Paul:

Mice, rats, gophers and other rodents dying slowly of poison will stagger into the open and become prime targets for predators, especially hawks and owls looking for an easy meal. Secondary poisoning can kill non-target wildlife in horrific ways. Accumulated poisons can also cause blindness, liver failure, neurological damage and so forth. Sadly, that is probably what killed the juvenile Cooper's hawk... Its death was a tragic loss for this recovering species that we are lucky to have nesting in our neighborhood.

A few years ago a Western Screech owl died of secondary poisoning (its body was found on lower Jaxine Drive near the intersection with Alzada Road). Poisoned birds of prey are more likely to be "noticed" than other species because they fly and may "crash" where they will be seen. We do not know how many birds of prey or other "non-target" animals have been poisoned, because such victims often die away from view (hiding as they sicken) or get eaten by another animal (possibly causing tertiary poisoning). For that reason, poisoning of wildlife and some pets may be a larger problem than we know. Please help keep poisons out of the food chain.

Coyote kills dog, Mendocino & Maiden Lane

Reader David Britt tells us that a coyote hopped the fence in the early morning hours today (Wednesday) and killed his mother-in-law's dog, near the intersection of Mendocino and Maiden Lane.  Watch out for your pets!

Critterdena: I love the nightlife

Reader Kris B. shares this picture her husband took of their new neighbor:

This guy moved into the neighborhood recently. We hear him most nights when he's hunting from his favorite spot near Glenrose and Palm. My husband snagged this shot of him last night. The barn owl must have spotted something interesting because the shot has a 2 second exposure, and you can see he barely moved a feather. We think he's a handsome addition to the neighborhood.

Critterdena: It's a hungry bear jamboree

Two of our community collaborators emailed us about wildife sightings -- BIG wildlife sightings.

Karen TenEyck spotted a bear last night at about 9:15 at the intersection of Tanoble and Woodglen.  Then we had an email this morning from Colleen Welsh, who encountered a bear on Loma Alta between Tanoble and Skyview at 5:55 AM.

Both described the bear as big.

We're going to say it's probably the same bear, doing its own version of Food Truck Friday along the garbage cans.  Be careful if you're out there this morning!

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View Critter Map 2011 in a larger map

 

 

Never cry wolf

There was considerable discussion on one of the newsgroups Sunday when someone thought they spotted a large wolf-like dog on Loma Alta near Chaney Trail.  "Does anybody know if we have wolves in the 'hood?" they asked.

We took the question to our actual Altadena resident Ph.D. canid expert, who responded thusly under her nom de chien:

No sir.  No wolves.  There have been no wolves in California since the 1800s.  Unless of course some yahoo purchased a “wolf-hybrid.”  Don’t get me started on that.

Yours truly,
Dr. Barkman

Bobcat at Palm & Reposa

View Critter Map 2011 in a larger map

Our correspondent Erika McCarden says that she spotted a bobcat last week: 

Sunday at around 7a, was out walking the dogs on Palm, and right at the street before Maiden Lane, there was movement something dropped into the bushes of a neighbor's yard..then out sauntered a bobcat! he was the size of a young coyote. was not at all scared. he looked at me and sauntered about, smelling flowers. Fortunately the dogs were distracted by a squirrel and missed what came out of the bushes!

Send your critter sightings to altadenablog @ gmail.com

Millard Canyon deer breaks leg fleeing unleashed dog

Millard Canyon campground host Lonnie Fehr wrote us last night that "we now have a doe with a severely broken left rear leg at the angle, only skin holding it on" in the area.

Fehr said that a visitor let their unleashed dog run loose in the campground area, and the deer broke her leg fleeing from the dog. 

"This is one of the reasons (US Forest Service) requires dogs on leash," Fehr wrote.  "Off-leash dogs have been an ongoing problem here."

Mountain lion spotted Tuesday night, near Aveson School

We've been getting reports through the newsgroups that a mountain lion was spotted in a yard at lower Loma Alta, near Noyes/Aveson School at about 9 PM Tuesday.  It was seen with a young black and white kitten in its mouth.  Bring in your pets and be cautious tonight.

The owls are not what they seem

(That's a line from Twin Peaks.  Excuse the nostalgia ...)

Something about the birds of prey this weekend -- Bill Westphal sends us a picture of this big fellow (or girl) who took up residence on their telephone pole for awhile last night (it's sitting on a 4x4 crosspiece).  Any of our bird watchers give a hoot about what species this is?

Golden sighting at Holliston & Mendocino

Reader M. Stifel saw an ornithological prize this afternoon:

Top of the Evening!
 
My husband and I spent a great part of the day outside, enjoying the weather and scenery.  We live near Holliston and Mendocino.  We couldn't help but notice that our normally very noisy and very present birds were all MIA.  It was almost eerie, (not aerie.)  Suddenly, we saw a flock of ravens soaring across the sky, crowing up a ruckus and bobbing up and down.  They were chasing the largest bird I've seen in this area, ever, and I am a native Altadenan and chronic bird watcher.  (And I won't say how old I am, but that disclaimer should tell you.)
 
Luckily, my husband and I keep our handy-dandy copy of "Birds of Los Angeles County" nearby  We whipped it out since this giant bird was kind enough to light upon a deodar just northeast of the Holliston and Mendocino intersection.  No doubt about it.  We we viewing a glorious Golden Eagle.  He very graciously perched at the top of the tree for about 20 minutes, and then flapped off to the south making that very distinctive eagle sound, and all the birds in my yard at that time ducked into the nearest trees and bushes.  Just shortly before the sun went down tonight, I heard that distinctive eagle call again, and heard the crows cawing, and sure enough, our eagle friend was back up on the top of the deodar.
 
This isn't big news, but what a glorious glimpse of a golden eagle against our purple mountains.  I hope this magnificent creature stays awhile. 

View Critter Map 2010 in a larger map

Fox paradox

Jane Brackman, Ph.D. (aka Dr. Barkman), whom we now name the Official Altadenablog Canid Correspondant, has some thoughts to share on the red fox sighted on Craig this weekend:

Generally, foxes and coyotes don’t share the same territory, so it’s interesting that someone spotted a fox near Craig and Midwick, home to many wiley coyotes. It could be a fox who strayed from his home (perhaps at a higher altitude) and ended up on Craig.  On the other hand it might be a result of the increasing population of mountain lions. 

In other words, cougars and foxes come into conflict in the same ecosystem.  That's also true in singles bars.

UPDATE:  Further explication from Dr. Barkman:

What it all means is:  cougars and foxes are compatible (in singles bars as well) because they don't share the same food sources. Coyotes and cougars compete for the same meals.  Big cats kill coyotes.  Coyotes kill little cats.  Life is like a circle...ever spinning ever turning...

This "circle of life" stuff is more acceptable the higher up on the food chain you are ...

Bee kind to our fellow creatures

Community correspondent Sharon Carman alerts us to this Altadena bee rescue.  Rather than tackling a bee swarm or unwanted hive with chemical warfare, Backwards Beekeepers uses natural means to corral 'em and take them away.  The photos on the website are great.  They even have a bee hotline: (213) 373-1104.

Critterdena: appetites

Reader Doris Finch shares this picture and story:

Here is a curiosity;  I noticed a struggling hummingbird [turned out to be an adult female Allen's] in a backyard Lantana.  On trying to free it, the "branch" it was stuck on came off with it.  Oops!  A mantis, which had apparently struck out at the bird.  Looking for a hearty lunch?  A couple of tiny feathers were stuck in the mandible.  Not a high quality shot, but the best I could manage with my free right hand.  I didn't want to keep the birdlet in that stressful situation too long.  End of story, bird was fine, she buzzed off.  The mantis was set down in a fuchsia in another location.

Actually, in the higher-res version (which we don't think makes it online) you can distinctly see a couple of feathers in the mantis' mandible.  That's one ambitious (and hungry) insect!

 

Critterdena: mountain lion sighting, 1400 block E. Palm [UPDATED]

Reported by the neighbors last night, about 9:21 PM (thanks to Mark A. Pickett for the alert)

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View Critter Map 2010 in a larger map

UPDATE, 2 PM 9/18: A resident of the neighborhood reports seeing the cat going through their backyard shortly after noon today.  Probably best to keep your pets inside!

The bear over there

Making the rounds of the newsgroups: a resident taped a visitor on Windfall Road Monday night, enjoying the garbage:

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Adopt a rescued tortoise ... a BIG tortoise!

Carrie Meyers at Steve's Pets, 2395 N. Lake Ave,  626 798-6290 has a new addition, for sale for a good cause -- an African Sulcata Tortoise:

The Reptile Rescue trusted us to find  a good home for this large tortoise and we are asking for $200 donation for this amazing reptile. Even if your not interested in taking him home, come in and check this guy out -- he is huge.

Another bobcat at large?

Reader Doris Finch sends us these pictures (with permission) from Susan Kyro: a bobcat in the backyard on the 2000 block of Crescent Dr., near the intersection with Skyview.

Pictures of a bobcat in the back yard of 2098 Crescent Dr., near the intersection with Skyview. 

I compared this one with the earlier sighting from a couple of weeks ago.  I don't think it is the same one.  We had one in the adjoining yard last November.

Who's soaking in our pool? Living with bears

Over in Sierra Madre, the local police have teamed up with the Lake Tahoe Bear League to put together a meeting on living with our ursine companions:

Learning to Live with Bears

Presentation by:
The Lake Tahoe Bear League
+
Sierra Madre Police Department

Living with Bears in your backyard?
Dipping in your pool? Lounging on your lawn?
Like them or not, this meeting is for you!

When : Sunday May 2, 2010
Time : 1:00 pm
Where: 141 W Highland Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre Middle School

Why: Because Education Always precedes Respect + Responsibility... It?s up to all of us to respect the lives and nature of the animals in our midst and to accept the responsibility of keeping them wild and our environment safe, for our families.

What we do not understand, we fear... Come and find out what you can do to make your space safer and Save the Bears at the same time!

BEARS our New Urban Immigrant
www.savebears.org

Ann Bryant
Lake Tahoe Bear League
Executive Director 530-525-PAWS

Sierra Madre Police Department 626-355-1414

'Dena pooch goes to Westminster

Somebody please tell OC Register reporter Rashi Kesarwani that Altadena ain't in Orange County.  In any event, Altadena resident Bonnie will be competing in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show next week.

Animals, lost and found

A surfeit of missing and found animals tonight, after the jump:

Found dog: elderly male terrier [UPDATED - good news!]

UPDATE: Happy ending on this one.  Read the comments!

Reader Pilar Aceves Goeders found somebody:

Elderly grey male terrier mix wandering around E Loma Alta Dr near Holly Slope.

Managed to corral him and he's currently safe and dry inside our garage.

Please call 626.529.5464 to further id/claim.

But before we could get that notice up, she wrote again:

Well, normally my m.o. with a lost critter with no tags would be to call/get him to the local shelter/humane society, but they are apparently busy to the gills helping the people under evacuation orders with their pets at the moment.

So...looks as though I'll probably hold onto the old codger little terrier here for at least a few days until the weather dries out.  In the meantime, I'll see if anyone calls/posts something looking for a dog matching his description.  I'll let you know if/when he gets reunited with his family.

Lost pets update

Got a couple of notices about missing animals this evening:

First, good news: If you remember Rosie the dog, who took off around the holidays, her owner Susan Ruffins tells us:

Thank you Altadena and thank you Altadena Blog!  Our wanderlust dog, Rosie,  is back home and all is well.  

And second, Bo Astrup has alerted us to this creature obviously far away from home, but hanging out in his back yard:

Well originally it was s'posed to wild, the it was put in a cage, and now it's not s'posed to be wild, but it kinda is....

But free range should be good, at least it cost more I gather from the prices at the supermarket.

Over the last week a male peacock has been roaming around our backyard. So being a not-s'posed-to-be-wild animal I figure someone might be missing this beautiful bird.

Homeless dogs on the spot

Pictured: Julie, left, and Dottie

Judith McAdoo sent us this heart-rending tale:

I have a good friend, Paula, who lives in Bellingham, Wa. This last summer her mother was killed and her father dreadfully injured in an auto accident while on vacation. The father is still in neuro rehab and will never be able to return to his independent home in Sherman Oaks.

His two beautiful dalmatians have been with a dog sitter until now when it has become clear he will not be able to take care of himself, much less the dogs. His daughter is caring for her dad and has a house full of critters already so cannot take the dogs. They are looking for a home for both dogs together. The dogs are in Sherman Oaks.

Have you seen Rosie?

And yet another lost dog!: Susan Ruffins mails us:

Friends watching our dog over the holidays reported that she dashed out the front door and hightailed it into the pass between La Canada and Altadena.  The dog's name is Rosie and she is a small(ish) white terrier with black spots. Her ears are too large and her legs too short.  She is funny looking, cheerful and very dear to us.   She has tags.  Please let us know if you are able to get a hold of her.  Call Susan at 626-398-1866.

Found dog: black lab [UPDATE]

Laura Graham tells us

Found in Altadena, Female Black Lab, collar, no tags, wandering Maiden Lane above New York. She maybe 2 years, 50-60 pounds. She safe and has a new friend, but I'm sure she would like to get home as soon as she can, as she is obviously well loved. Please call Laura @ 626-543-4844 and describe collar to identify her.

UPDATE:  we love found dog stories!  Laura sent us this:

Hey, crazy good outcome: I found the owner on Craigslist, he lives over in Glendale and only adopted her two days before Christmas, which is when she managed to open a window and chew through the screen. Somehow she made it to Altadena?! He sent me a photo by e-mail, no question it was her, and he picked her up this afternoon.

What a great way to start the new year!

Glendale to Altadena?  That's one ambitious dog!

Wild animals may become a bigger problem, too

If it's not the domestic animals gone wild (below), it's the wild animals gone domestic.  Los Angeles County sent out this release today:

RESIDENTS IN BURN AREAS MAY EXPERIENCE MORE ENCOUNTERS WITH WILDLIFE

ARCADIA, CA - County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and County pest management experts remind residents in the foothills and near the recent wildfire burn areas to be cautious about wild animals that may have been displaced by the Station Fire and subsequent debris flows.  Coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, bears, and other animals may find their way into residential areas looking for food, water and shelter.

The best way residents can prevent wild animals from frequenting residential property is not to leave any food outside. This includes pet food, and pets themselves, which wild animals may consider food. Pick up fallen fruit on your property and harvest your gardens regularly. It is important to keep garbage containers tightly covered. Residents should never intentionally feed wild animals, as doing so creates a danger for residents and teaches the wild animal to depend on humans.

Additional Safety Tips:

● Do not approach wild animals, even small young ones, no matter how "cute" the animal appears.
● Consider hiking, biking or jogging with a partner.
● Try to avoid jogging or hiking near wildlife areas when wildlife is most active: dusk, nighttime, and dawn.
● Keep a close watch on small children.
● Clear brush and dense weeds on your property.

● If your property is infested with rodents, consider control measures as rodents can attract hungry predators.

Stray dogs an increasing danger

Reader Joell Peysar writes us:

There has been a rash of violent stray dogs in the Altadena area closest to Altadena Elementary.  We are residents in this area and have recently lost our loved pet chicken, Cheerio, to one of the stray dogs in this vicinity.  I am asking you to spread the word to our community that if a stray dog is discovered to please don't ignore it.  These animals are untrained, neglected & violent. 

A week ago I was out in my fenced-in yard with my small dog.  From out of nowhere a pack of stray dalmatians, shepherds & mutts tried to push one of our gates open in an attempt to attack my puppy.  When we first moved here 2 years ago our 13 year old cat, Lucifer, disappeared without a trace.  And now our chicken.

I have attached pictures of the dog that attacked and killed our chicken and I will be heading to the house with the other stray dogs to get their photos as well.
I have lost a beloved cat & chicken and am very grateful I didn't lose my dog that day.  These animals and their owners need to be dealt with immediately in order for peace to come to this community.  Please help me spread the word.

Another bear over there

Reader Sonya says she spotted a bear feasting in her trash cans last night around 10 at the end of Skyview.  The bear map is coming along nicely!  Be careful out there!

View Critter Map in a larger map

Now we have to draw a bobcat!

Doris Finch adds to our stress:

Just to add to our critter compendium, a large bobcat was in the ungroomed part of our large yard on Monday morning.  As my yard man described it [a gato montez], it would seem to have been a male--about 2' tall, 3' long, good spots, big tufted ears, very short tail.  I was sorry to have missed him, but my gardener couldn't reach me to tell me.  Location, Crescent Dr. where Bowring tees into it.

Mountain lion (not!) stalking (human) prey on Chaney Trail

(UPDATE: OK, so we decided to indulge our baser instincts and go for a yellow press headline when this first appeared!  We DO have a mountain lion mama in protective mode, so be careful out there!)

Got this note tonight from Mary McGilvray at Chaney Trail, with request to cross-post:

Hello all,

Tonight as I came home, i drove up the Chaney hill after locking the gate and passed our beloved neighbor Bonnie Callahan walking down the hill with her nosed buried in her book, as usual.  I rounded the corner past Bonnie and about 50 yards later came upon a large female mountain lion.

It was definitely following Bonnie.  I scared it up onto the hillside, turned my car around and gave Bonnie a ride back to the gate.  She safely scooted home from there.

I turned my car back around and headed back up the hill where I ran into a really nice bunch of teenagers walking down the road.  I warned them about the lion and they said they heard some kits (is that the plural of mountain lion babies?) down in the canyon on the opposite side of the road.  Clearly, they belonged to Mama Stalker Kitty.

Please be safe everyone!

Mary McGilvray

And so, a new addition to the critter map:

View Critter Map in a larger map

Lions and coyotes and bears

Kit Fisher emails us this morning:

I am sad to report that a couple coyotes caught a neighborhood cat this morning around 6.  My husband watched the whole affair in our front yard at Maiden Lane and Dolores.  He attempted to help, but it was too late.  So heads up, everyone.  Keep a close eye on your small animals!

We've also had sightings of a mountain lion in the Chaney Trail neighborhood near Alzada (we're still working on our mountain lion graphic!), so in addition to the bears, remember that the fires have severely affected habitat and food sources, and expect more stories like this.

Bear in the air ...

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... or at least at Skyview Dr., according to reader Escovar, who says he spotted an ursus in his yard near Aveson School at about 1:30 AM Wednesday.

Three bears on the prowl in Altadena (waiting for porridge to cool?)

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Reader Ismael Silla writes:

I want to report bear sighting in my front yard at around 11:30 of September 29.  I heard a noise like someone is dragging the desk in my front porch, but when I look through the window to check I noticed my trash was knocked down.  I went outside with a ski pole and a stick in hand hoping to ward off any intruders and was startled to see a six-foot brown bear staring at me. Terrified, I ran back to the house and notified the Altadena Sheriff.  They came after about twenty minutes and I was told that there is a family of three bears roaming Altadena.  Be on the lookout.
 
I live at Mount Curve Avenue east of Lake Avenue near Farnsworth Park.

Bearwatch: Tanoble and Alta Crest

Sighted early Wednesday morning.  Victims: some trash cans.  Another addition to the critter map.

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Looking for Farleigh

The Brennans are looking for their dog:

Farleigh is a 6 year old tricolor male, he is Australian shepherd and Rottweiler mix, he is very friendly dog about 95lbs. He was wearing a collar with his dog tags and another collar with a brass bell, he is micro-chipped. He was last seen at the trail head of the Sam Merrill trail just off Lake Ave. on the morning of August 25th around 10:30 AM, we have not seen or heard from him since.

We have placed posters and banners throughout Altadena and Pasadena.  We are offering a $500 reward for information leading to his recovery. Your blog's assistance in getting the word out would be much appreciated. My cell phone number is (310)766-5747.

Thank you once again, Fred and Irene Brennan, Pasadena, CA.

Bear Sat. morning @ Stonehill & E. Loma Alta

Yep -- they're still out there.  Bears, that is.

One of the posts in the "neighbors" newsgroup this morning, from someone who lives at about Stonehill and E. Loma Alta:

We were visited by a fairly large brown bear last night about 4:30am.  He entered the backyard (somehow, we don't know) and was climbing our fig tree which is loaded with ripe fruit.  He stayed quite awhile feasting on the fruit, shaking the tree like crazy, breaking only one branch thank goodness.  After his fill, he left the yard towards the front of the house, climbing the cinderblock wall.  We were impressed, he was very agile in his exit, not knocking over any of our "stuff" which is piled up.

Another neighbor confirmed that heavy trash cans were also knocked over this morning, so they've been on the prowl!

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Critter map update

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We've added a couple of recent bear sightings to what we now call our "Critter Map," and once we draw an icon of a mountain lion that doesn't look too much like a bear, we'll add those, too!

Send in your critter sightings to altadenablog @ gmail.com.

Bear, mountain lion sighted Wed. morning

The animals are out in force these days ...

Revvell Revati reports that she was walking on Morsley Wednesday morning, and a passerby warned her of a bear on Braeburn.  She opted not to take a look for herself!

And Robyn Puntch on the 300 block of West Poppyfield Dr. says:

Thought you and your readers might like to know that there was a huge mountain lion roaming the neighborhood early [Wed.] morning.  I saw it in my backyard at 1:45 a.m. ...  It stayed about half an hour (after I spotted it) before climbing over my back fence.  I would estimate that it was over 6 feet long, not counting the tail.