Local News in Brief : Study of Wildlife Losses

The Rolling Hills City Council has appointed an eight-member citizens’ Wildlife Preservation Committee to determine the extent of the loss of wildlife in the Palos Verdes Peninsula community.

In addition, the panel will study whether the decrease occurred naturally or by an increase in predators, development “or the insensitivity of human beings” in the gated city of 2,095, Mayor Gordana Swanson said.

She said the council wants “recommendations from the committee on those measures that can be implemented to preserve, restore and protect wildlife species and habitats throughout the city.”

The first step will be a survey sent out at the end of the month to all 670 homes in the city. It asks residents about their knowledge of nature and wildlife, how many horses or other animals they have, what animals and birds they see on their property or in their neighborhood, and their attitudes about trapping and removing skunks, peafowl and wild dogs.

Another question asks people how interested they are in preserving wildlife. The choice of answers is “highly,” “somewhat,” “don’t care” or “get rid of them.”

City old-timers recall road runners, coyotes, an abundance of quail and even deer.