Volunteers needed to collect coyote poop for National Park Service study

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The National Park Service is looking for volunteers to collect coyote poop in the Santa Monica Mountains for a study on the urban coyote population.

"We're looking for people who will survey locations from Beverly Hills to Boyle Heights and basically do a walking survey," said Kate Kuykendall with the National Park Service. "We'll be able to identify what is coyote scat and safely collect that scat."

In addition to collecting poop, volunteers are also being asked to sift through what they've gathered to determine what the coyotes are eating.

A previous study of suburban coyotes found that they ate rabbits, pocket gophers, wood rats and mice. Less than 1 percent of their diet was made up of pets.

"Getting information on what coyotes are eating is kind of the first step in understanding the basic ecology of these urban coyotes," Kuykendall said.

No experience is needed for the job and the park service will train you. Volunteers just need to commit a couple of days each month for six months.

The first training session is in early June. To find out more information on how you can volunteer, click here.