Hilarious sign warns California residents to call animal control if they spot coyotes detonating TNT

September 2024 ยท 2 minute read

California residents are likely to have seen countless warnings signs about wily coyotes in the area - and probably give them a cursory glance at best.

That's perhaps why the Redwood City Parks and Recreation department decided to reward those who took the time to read the small print with a joke about the hapless Loony Tunes villain. 

Or they might have thought nobody would notice at all. But Stephen Zunes, a professor at University of San Francisco, uploaded a photograph to Facebook of the sign. 

This coyote warning sign from Redwood City in California lists some unusual examples of potentially dangerous activity 

This coyote warning sign from Redwood City in California lists some unusual examples of potentially dangerous activity 

It starts of simply enough: 'Warning Coyote Activity. Coyotes are wild animals and can be dangerous. Do not encourage them to approach.'

But in the smaller print beneath the authors give up on the serious tone, urging members of the public to call animal control if they spot a coyote engaging in anything that resembles Wile E. Coyote's harebrained schemes. 

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This type of activity might include the coyote 'carrying box marked "ACME"', 'detonating explosives/TNT', or being in 'possession of giant magnet,' the sign continues. 

Further examples of potentially dangerous coyote behavior are: 'holding sign such as "detour" or "free bird seed", being 'in possession of a catapult', or throwing an 'anvil from hot air balloon.'

People are told to look out for dangerous activity that might include the coyote 'carrying box marked "ACME" or 'detonating explosives/TNT'

People are told to look out for dangerous activity that might include the coyote 'carrying box marked "ACME" or 'detonating explosives/TNT'

Coyotes are canines native to North America, closely related to wolves and jackals, and residents are often warned not to approach them

Coyotes are canines native to North America, closely related to wolves and jackals, and residents are often warned not to approach them

Professor Zunes wrote: 'Here in California, it's not unusual to have warning signs in parks about coyotes. 

'As you'll note, though, they are common enough that they recommend not calling wildlife authorities unless they are engaged in certain unusual activities.'   

Although Warner Brothers' furious but bumbling cartoon character never managed to capture the elusive Roadrunner, real coyotes are far more dangerous. 

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