Coyote chases bear from Tarzana driveway in security-camera video
Security video from a Tarzana home shows a coyote repeatedly confronting a bear until it moves into a nearby yard.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
A late-night coyote chases bear Tarzana encounter was caught on a homeowner’s security camera after a bear walked down a stone path toward a driveway, then faced repeated approaches from a coyote.
Richard Hurwitz said his Ring camera alerted him to movement outside his Tarzana home at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Footage he provided to KTLA shows the bear reaching the driveway area as one coyote steps toward it. A second, smaller coyote was initially visible in the street.
Hurwitz told KTLA he had lived in the area for 41 years and had seen coyotes, deer and mountain lions, but had not previously spotted a bear there. KTLA reported that the bear appeared to have a tag, though the report did not identify it or say what it indicated.
What did the Tarzana security footage show?
The coyote in the driveway moved toward the bear several times, according to KTLA and UPI. The bear watched the animal, then moved across the driveway and into an adjacent yard. The second coyote later came up from the street and watched from the driveway.
There was no reported physical fight. UPI said the bear ultimately left for a nearby yard, and Hurwitz said the encounter was not violent.
Hurwitz believed the larger coyote appeared to be keeping the bear away from the smaller animal. That is his reading of the video, not a confirmed identification of either coyote’s sex, age or relationship.
Why are bears being seen near Southern California homes?
Cort Klopping of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told KABC that sightings often increase during hot periods. Bears may be looking for water, shade, shelter and easy food sources, he said.
For residents, officials’ advice is practical: do not feed wildlife or put food and water out for wild animals. KABC reported that people can also reduce potential attractants by securing trash cans, removing fallen fruit and pet food, and blocking access to crawl spaces and areas beneath decks.
The Tarzana clip records a brief standoff with a clear ending: the bear moved on, and the two coyotes remained outside the home.
This story draws on original reporting from UPI.