| Local governments value information about wildlife presence in order to reassure and inform residents about how best to coexist in recreation areas and along the urban edge, to inform land-use planning, and to conserve ecosystems. But most cities cannot afford elaborate peer-reviewed studies to document wildlife. This survey identified certain species of mammals that live in the Verdugo Mountains in Burbank, and Glendale, California using inexpensive, noninvasive techniques in collaboration with community college students.
Little was known about the activity of mammals likely to interact with recreating humans relative to time of day, temperature, moon phase or habitat type along the primary trail system. Remote sensing cameras were deployed to compare results on fire roads, hiking trails, game trails and in areas without apparent trails.
A total of 162 mammal photos were captured using motion-activated infrared cameras between January and June 2017. Of these, 33% were coyote (Canis latrans), 17% bobcat (Lynx rufus), 14% gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 12% striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), 10% mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 8% opossum (Didelphimorphia), 5% mountain lion (Puma concolor), and 1% other. The majority of the photos were captured from sunset to sunrise, demonstrating that these urban mammals are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal. |