Publication Date

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor

Lynne Trulio; Joshua Baur; Matthew Chaney

Abstract

Urban open space preserves support both intensive recreation and wildlife, but the information on carnivore activity and visitor perceptions is limited. This study combined camera-trap monitoring and on-site visitor surveys to evaluate activity patterns of medium- to large-bodied mammals and perceptions of coyotes at Windy Hill and Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserves (South San Francisco Bay Area). From October 2024 to July 2025, thirteen cameras recorded 213,681 photo events; detections were standardized as detections per 1,000 camera-hours. Ten mammal species and two avian species were detected, including four focal carnivores: coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). All four carnivores showed substantially higher nighttime versus daytime activity, and this pattern did not differ compared weekdays to weekends. Visitor surveys (n = 102) indicated generally positive perceptions of coyotes (79% positive; 3% negative). Perceptions differed by gender (males more positive than females) and, potentially, visit frequency (frequent and first-time visitors more positive than occasional visitors. More than a quarter of non-first-time visitors reported having observed coyotes during a prior visit, and they responded, most often, by observing from a distance or leaving the area. These results suggest that carnivores in high use preserves shift strongly toward nocturnality, potentially reducing direct overlap with visitors, and highlight the value of targeted visitor education to support coexistence.

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