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Living with Wildlife
El Cerrito’s open spaces, creeks, tree-covered hillsides, shared boundary with Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and other natural resources are important for many plant and animal species while also having ecological, educational, aesthetic, economic and recreational values.
Deer, squirrels, wild turkeys and a variety of songbird are a common site around town. Pacific chorus frogs, crayfish, salamanders and other animals live in our watershed (creeks). Coyote, foxes, gophers, hawks, kestrels, owls, opossums, raccoons, snakes, skunks, turkey vultures and moles are more often found in the hills of the City and in Wildcat Canyon.
The State Department of Fish and Game offers the following information for:
Deer, squirrels, wild turkeys and a variety of songbird are a common site around town. Pacific chorus frogs, crayfish, salamanders and other animals live in our watershed (creeks). Coyote, foxes, gophers, hawks, kestrels, owls, opossums, raccoons, snakes, skunks, turkey vultures and moles are more often found in the hills of the City and in Wildcat Canyon.
There are a number of resources available to assist residents living with wildlife:
The State Department of Fish and Game offers the following information for:
If you find injured or orphaned wildlife that you think needs help, do not automatically pick it up. Read information provided by Lindsay Wildlife Museum. If the animal needs attention, either call County Animal Services at 925-335-8300 or, if it is a native Californian species you could also take it to Lindsay Wildlife Hospital (located in Walnut Creek) during their business hours.
Note: County Animal Services does not respond to calls of healthy wildlife living within Contra Costa County, regardless of the numbers of animals within a neighborhood. If the animal is injured, sick or dead, contact Animal Services.
Lindsay Wildlife Museum also offers tips for living with wildlife (including tips to keep nuisance wildlife away from your home).
Mountain Lion Sightings
If you see a mountain lion in a residential or business area in close enough proximity that you are concerned the lion may come into contact with people, you should call 9-1-1. Otherwise, contact Animal Control at (925-335-8300 during regular business hours or call Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 925-646-2441 during non-business hours) to report a mountain lion sighting.
Note: County Animal Services does not respond to calls of healthy wildlife living within Contra Costa County, regardless of the numbers of animals within a neighborhood. If the animal is injured, sick or dead, contact Animal Services.
Lindsay Wildlife Museum also offers tips for living with wildlife (including tips to keep nuisance wildlife away from your home).
Mountain Lion Sightings
If you see a mountain lion in a residential or business area in close enough proximity that you are concerned the lion may come into contact with people, you should call 9-1-1. Otherwise, contact Animal Control at (925-335-8300 during regular business hours or call Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 925-646-2441 during non-business hours) to report a mountain lion sighting.