Biologists with the National Park Service have launched a coyote research and tracking project in the northern part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Starting this week, wildlife biologists plan to temporarily capture some of the coyote population in the Marin Headlands and place remote GPS tracking collars on them before they are released back into the wild.
Park staff in the Marin Headlands are conducting the study in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Marin Humane Society, the University of California at Davis and the One Tam partnership in Marin County.
According to officials with the recreation area, the study will help future management of the area’s wildlife and protect the public from food-seeking coyotes.
Marin Headlands visitors can expect to see coyotes wearing satellite collars and colored ear tags as well as park staff scouting areas that have high levels of coyote traffic.
Visitors who spot a coyote with a tracking collar and ear tag are advised to take a photo and report it using the iNaturalist mobile research app.
If approached by a coyote or other wild animal, visitors should make loud noises and large movements like waving the arms to scare the animal away.
Such incidents should also be reported to park dispatch by calling 415-561-5510.
Members of the public are advised to never approach or feed wild animals like coyotes to keep them wild. Properly disposing of trash can also prevent animals associating humans with food.