Wildlife Safety Training

Duration: 2 Hours

Course Description:

This 2-hour awareness course is designed for employees who work in or near outdoor environments where wildlife encounters are a recognized occupational hazard. Participants will gain a working knowledge of three primary wildlife threats found throughout California — coyotes, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions — including how to identify them, understand their behavior, avoid dangerous encounters, and respond appropriately if an encounter or injury occurs.

The course also addresses field safety fundamentals specific to workers, including the buddy system and lone worker protocols, field first aid basics, and awareness of additional hazards such as ticks, stinging insects, spiders, feral animals, black bears, and other wildlife commonly encountered during outdoor field assignments.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify coyotes, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions by appearance and behavior
• Explain how each animal perceives humans — and why that changes your response
• Apply practical strategies to avoid wildlife encounters at worksites and in the field
• Describe the correct step-by-step response for an encounter, bite, or attack
• Recognize signs of shock, anaphylaxis, and other field medical emergencies
• Follow lone worker check-in protocols and buddy system responsibilities
• Briefly identify other field wildlife hazards — ticks, bees, spiders, feral animals, bears — and appropriate responses
• Complete required Cal/OSHA and agency documentation after a wildlife injury

Topics Covered:

Section 1 — Coyotes

• Identification & characteristics
• Habitat & seasonal behavior
• Risks: territory defense vs. habituation
• Avoidance strategies & attractant removal
• Hazing technique: step-by-step protocol
• If bitten: wound care & rabies PEP
• Do / Do Not quick reference

Section 2 — Rattlesnakes

• Identification & CA species overview
• Behavior: defensive-only, dry bites
• PPE and field avoidance
• Bite response: step-by-step protocol
• Medical facts: antivenom, symptoms, recovery
• What not to do (cut, suck, tourniquet)

Section 3 — Mountain Lions

• Identification & CA population
• Threat vs. predator distinction
• Stalking behavior & prey drive
• Encounter response: step-by-step
• If attacked: fighting back protocol
• After an attack: 911 & mandatory reporting
• Do / Do Not quick reference

Section 4 — Worksite Safety

• Wildlife hazard assessment & site survey
• PPE for outdoor field work
• Emergency communication planning
• 911 & Poison Control protocols
• Cal/OSHA Form 5020 documentation
• Title 8 §3203 record retention
• Wildlife species comparison table

Section 5 — Buddy System & First Aid

• Lone worker risk & Cal/OSHA §3400
• Check-in schedules & GPS requirements
• Buddy roles and responsibilities
• Field first aid: scene safety, bleeding control
• Wound care: bites, scratches & stings
• Recognizing & responding to shock
• Anaphylaxis & EpiPen use on the job
• Rabies PEP: timeline & workers’ comp

Section 6 — Other Wildlife Hazards

• Ticks: Lyme disease, removal, prevention
• Africanized honey bees: response
• Black widows & scorpions: ID & first aid
• Black bears: ID, behavior & encounter
• Feral pigs & feral dogs: field awareness
• Rabies-vector species: bats, skunks, raccoons
• CA seasonal wildlife risk calendar

This is an awareness-level training course. It is not a substitute for site-specific wildlife management plans, first responder certification, or emergency medical training. Participants with known allergies to insect stings or animal venom should ensure their agency has an emergency action plan in place prior to field deployment.