Читать книгу Urban Trails East Bay - Alexandra Kenin - Страница 18

The Bay Area is a thriving habitat for animals—those that are native to the area and those that have been brought in for grazing. One native animal you may see roaming throughout these parks is the coyote. Generally nocturnal, coyotes are most active early in the morning and at sunset. You are less likely to see one in the middle of the day. If you do encounter one, do not feed it (or any wildlife), don’t let your dog off leash, and don’t turn your back on it or run. Coyote attacks on people are very rare, but if a coyote approaches you, shout at it or throw small rocks near it (not at it).

More than coyotes, however, you will likely see cows in parks across the East Bay Regional Park District. The EBRPD currently uses 6000 cows, 1600 goats, and 1500 sheep to graze park grasslands, a process in place for more than fifty years. Grazing is used to reduce fire risk and encourage native plants and wildlife to thrive. Cows are rarely aggressive. If you encounter one, speak calmly and give it space. Don't walk through a herd or between a cow and its calf.

Ticks are also common in Bay Area parks. It’s a good practice to do a full-body tick check after each hike. If you find a tick on yourself, remove it with tweezers (be sure to get its head) and put it in a jar or plastic bag that you can keep in the freezer for later analysis if necessary. Wash the area with warm water and soap. While tick-borne illnesses are rare in the Bay Area, monitor bites for any suspicious changes in appearance.

Seeing a rattlesnake is also rare but still possible—especially in warmer months when snakes are more active. People have been bitten by rattlesnakes in East Bay parks, so pay close attention to your surroundings. Try to look at the ground ahead of you as you walk, look carefully around logs and rocks before sitting down, and avoid putting your hands or feet in places where you can’t see clearly. If you encounter a rattlesnake, keep your distance, and if you can’t go around it, turn around and walk the other way. Stay on marked trails and avoid brush where snakes may be hiding during the day. If you do get bitten, stay calm and call 911 as soon as possible.

Cows are a common sight on East Bay Regional Park District trails.