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Scientists probe recent coyote attacks in California
AP Science ^ | May 13, 2008 | ALICIA CHANG

Posted on 05/13/2008 11:42:42 AM PDT by george76

"Their aggressive behavior seems to be on the upswing," said Steve Martarano, a spokesman with the state Department of Fish and Game. "They just seem to lose their fear of humans."

Since the 1970s, more than 100 coyote attacks on humans in Southern California have been recorded, with half the incidents involving children age 10 and younger.

"If they see a young child and they have a chance, yeah they'll take it," said Kevin Brennan, a state wildlife biologist.

Game wardens don't normally hunt coyotes unless they pose a threat to people. After attacks, they trap and then shoot coyotes. They also carry shotguns or small-caliber rifles, but won't fire on the animals unless they get a clear shot.

Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise or throw objects to scare them from neighborhoods.

coyotes in recent weeks with reports of the wild animals sleeping in yards and pestering residents.

"They're so brazen right now," she said. "They just stand there and look at you."

Earlier, a coyote attacked a 2-year-old girl playing in a city park in Chino Hills...

The next day, a coyote in the same place made a beeline for another child,

Since last year, there have been seven coyote attacks in the Chino Hills area, including four in which children were bitten.

"Coyotes are opportunistic," Timm said. "They go where the food is."

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: animalrights; ar; coyote; coyoteattacks; coyotes; hunting
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1 posted on 05/13/2008 11:42:43 AM PDT by george76
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To: george76

I got two here in central Indiana with my .22 hornet this winter, one was standing not 10 feet from my patio door in the middle of the day, where I let my dogs out.

Put a bounty on them and the problem will be solved, at least it works wherever it has been tried so far.


2 posted on 05/13/2008 11:46:51 AM PDT by Abathar (Proudly posting without reading the article carefully since 2004)
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To: george76

Hmmm, we don’t really have that problem here in Missouri. of course it could have something to do with this:

Season - Mon, May 12, 2008 -—> Tue, Mar 31, 2009
Bag Limit - Any number
Possession Limit - Any number

Seems like an aggressive, and well thought out, conservation management program goes a long way to keep things in balance. But hey, what do we know, were just bitter, gun-loving bible nuts.


3 posted on 05/13/2008 11:53:07 AM PDT by Turbo Pig (...to close with and destroy the enemy...)
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To: george76

Many forget that an unarmed human is in the middle if the food chain not the top.


4 posted on 05/13/2008 11:55:55 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: george76

I just heard that the Kalifornia state gubbmint has authorized the shooting of coyotes but hunters must use bullets made of pixie dust because lead is far too harmful to the environment and the condors...


5 posted on 05/13/2008 11:55:58 AM PDT by 43north (I hope we are around long enough to become a layer in the rocks of the future.)
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To: george76
"They're so brazen right now," she said. "They just stand there and look at you."

Gee I wonder why. I'm sure it has nothing to do with:

Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise or throw objects to scare them from neighborhoods.

6 posted on 05/13/2008 11:59:03 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: 43north
I just heard that the Kalifornia state gubbmint has authorized the shooting of coyotes but hunters must use bullets made of pixie dust because lead is far too harmful to the environment and the condors...

Actually it is spelled California, and it has always been legal to shoot coyotes - with lead. Perhaps you should learn facts about the things you post on, otherwise more people than just me will assume you are an ignoramus.

7 posted on 05/13/2008 12:03:45 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (The road to hell is paved with the stones of pragmatism.)
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To: from occupied ga; Myrddin; girlangler; Grammy; B4Ranch; Troublemaker; fish hawk; redpoll; Eska; ...

Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise ...

8-)


8 posted on 05/13/2008 12:04:27 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: george76

DFG and local authorities should give the okay to residents in the foothills, rural and mountainous areas to start shooting cayotes with shotguns or rifles where it’s safe.

The cayote problem would be drastically improved within a few weeks when they regain their fear of man.


9 posted on 05/13/2008 12:05:15 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.org | DefendOurTroops.org)
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To: george76

What? Those cute little Coyote pups shown on TV by Federally funded “naturalists” grow up to prey on us? But........ we mean them no harm! It’s all George Bush’s fault!!


10 posted on 05/13/2008 12:05:34 PM PDT by caisson71 (Times change, values don't.)
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To: george76

S.S.S.


11 posted on 05/13/2008 12:05:34 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media.)
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To: george76
Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise or throw objects to scare them from neighborhoods.

Hunting coyotes in California is perfectly legal, no bag limit, no season but these asshats are saying that people shouldn't hunt them? What a bunch of liberal dumb a**es. Coyotes have been known to attack someone "making loud noises and throwing things". How stupid can you get?

12 posted on 05/13/2008 12:06:02 PM PDT by calex59
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To: george76

“They just seem to lose their fear of humans.”

LOL! He acts surprised! Nothing like animals behaving like animals....the savages!

Another gns moment brought to you by animal rights whiners and PETA.


13 posted on 05/13/2008 12:07:55 PM PDT by Adder (typical bitter white person)
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To: ElkGroveDan; 43north

Doesn’t it burn your tail when all these so called experts, such as 43north, think they know all about CA? It is legal, no bag limit, no season, to hunt coyotes in Ca. Always has been.These so called authorities who call for not hunting them are probably a figment of the MSM’s imagination, trying to influence people into not killing the cute little “doggies”.


14 posted on 05/13/2008 12:09:25 PM PDT by calex59
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To: george76
that they instead make noise

I wonder if the muzzle blast from a .220 swift would be an appropriate noise.

15 posted on 05/13/2008 12:10:16 PM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: Abathar

Exactly, coyotes are smart and they obviously haven’t been shot at often enough in CA. They have no fear of humans.


16 posted on 05/13/2008 12:12:48 PM PDT by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
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To: calex59

Yes, hunting cayotes is legal but the problem is that in most of the areas they’re having these problems are areas where the discharge of most firearms is illegal.


17 posted on 05/13/2008 12:14:30 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.org | DefendOurTroops.org)
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To: calex59

Scientists probe recent coyote attacks in California?

I’d like to see a headline more like this....

“Scientists probe ONGOING GLOBAL TERRORIST ATTACKS”

Aloha kakou


18 posted on 05/13/2008 12:14:48 PM PDT by BigIsleGal (Love to Those on Rainbow Bridge and Luck to Us Who Aren't)
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To: george76

Nobody shoots coyotes in this part of Colorado, absolutely nobody. I can’t figure out why there aren’t more of them.....


19 posted on 05/13/2008 12:19:47 PM PDT by whipitgood (Neither of, by, nor for the people any longer...)
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To: whipitgood

Whoops, forgot the sarcasm tag.


20 posted on 05/13/2008 12:20:31 PM PDT by whipitgood (Neither of, by, nor for the people any longer...)
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To: george76
They need to put out some coyote traps and bait them with roadrunners:

WARNING: Do NOT buy your traps from the "Acme" company!

We all know from years of Warner Bros. cartoons that roadrunners are the coyote's favorite food.

21 posted on 05/13/2008 12:21:45 PM PDT by capt. norm (Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.)
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To: Resolute Conservative
Many forget that an unarmed human is in the middle if the food chain not the top.

not if you "make noise and throw something" at the predator! Then you're an equal! And the coyote will scamper away, knowing that you're a human and therefore his better! /sarcasm

Mark

22 posted on 05/13/2008 12:36:56 PM PDT by MarkL
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To: jazusamo

That is likely why authorities prefer people not hunt coyotes. If these are relatively populated areas and there are children outside playing that can be attacked by coyotes, they can also be shot by a person hunting coyotes.

I am not sure exactly what is going on in Chino Hills, but it certainly goes against most of what I know and have seen. I have never been able to get within 50 ft of a coyote. The residents of Chino Hills are either feeding these animals, doing a good job emulating prey, the coyote population is too high or any combination of the three. In April and May they will have pups and this may also be a factor. Coyotes are smart but still fairly easy to trap and that is the preferred method for problem animals. You put a little urine on the mark and back your trap 1-1.5 ft. off the mark. The coyote picks up the mark thinking there is another in the territory, attempts to re-scent and is caught.


23 posted on 05/13/2008 12:37:41 PM PDT by WildcatClan (Don't blame me...............I supported Duncan Hunter.)
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To: george76

“”They just seem to lose their fear of humans.””

Surprise, surprise... Having lived in west Texas for about 15 years, my buds and I would occasionally go coyote hunting out on remote oil leases (yes, wild life survives quite well on oil leases). Anyway, back to the story at hand, coyotes that are actually wild are very elusive and takes considerable amount of patience and skill to call up for a decenet shot. However and on the otherhand, those who have moved into the suburbs or the suburbs have moved to them have learned to not fear man and to hunt small critters found in the suburbs such as rabbits, cats, small dogs, and small children - all are the same to ole wily coyote. He just rushes in and makes a snatch and is gone in a flash. Here in the DFW, Texas area I have not heard of any small children being snatched but I hear of small pets being snatched routinely. But, nevertheless, these suburbanized coyotes have to be exterminated as they have lost their fear of man and have learned that it is easy hunting in man’s backyard...


24 posted on 05/13/2008 12:44:29 PM PDT by snoringbear ('Just so to get the terminology correct; it goes like this; the federal government is the Pimp, the)
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To: PA Engineer
S.S.S.

That's for mountain lions, with coyotes it's S.H.O.F.P.

;)

25 posted on 05/13/2008 12:48:27 PM PDT by Doomonyou (Let them eat lead.)
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To: calex59
It is legal, no bag limit, no season, to hunt coyotes in Ca

It's just illegal to carry a handgun out there. Good luck carrying a semi-auto rifle as well.

26 posted on 05/13/2008 12:54:07 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (Party ahead of principles; eventually you'll be selling out anything to anyone for the right price.)
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To: george76
They are even common in SC now. Very skittish here. Just like squirrels though. The few out on my property are very hard to get a shot at, while “suburban” squirrels will just look at you while you draw a bead on them. Saw the 1st coyote on my 20 acres a few weeks ago and spent days kicking myself for not being armed for once. Some bait, rabbit call, and .223 should do the trick though.
27 posted on 05/13/2008 12:58:30 PM PDT by USMCGunnut (Be polite, be professional....but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
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To: Centurion2000; ElkGroveDan
It's just illegal to carry a handgun out there. Good luck carrying a semi-auto rifle as well.

Well I don't know where you are from but it is perfectly legal in California to carry a handgun(open carry)and you can carry concealed if you are fishing. As for rifles you can carry one wherever you want as long as you can tell the cop who stops you that you are going hunting, have been hunting, going target shooting or coming from target shooting and several other good answers.

Semi-autos are perfectly legal here, I own several and hunt and shoot targets with them, no permit required.

Used to do a lot of coyote hunting but I am older now an setting out in the brush blowing a rabbit call doesn't appeal to me the way it used to, but I still shoot all I see when deer hunting.

Learn a little about CA before you post it will keep you from looking like an idiot.

PS, I have a CCW also and carry concealed. Wow, that must be illegal in CA too, according to you!

28 posted on 05/13/2008 1:00:40 PM PDT by calex59
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To: george76

“Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise or throw objects to scare them from neighborhoods.”

7.62x39, .270, & 5.56 all make more than enough “noise” for our coyote problems...


29 posted on 05/13/2008 1:00:47 PM PDT by MD_Willington_1976
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To: Centurion2000

Nonsense. In many counties, it is effectively shall-issue.


30 posted on 05/13/2008 1:01:47 PM PDT by B Knotts (Calvin Coolidge Republican)
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To: Centurion2000
It's just illegal to carry a handgun out there. Good luck carrying a semi-auto rifle as well.

We can open carry a handgun (although I wouldn't do it in town) and we can have semi-auto rifles, just as long as they are not ugly black ones with nasty things like flash-supressors, barrel shrouds, pistol grips, or folding stocks. You know, all that stuff that makes them deadlier. Just ask Diane Swinestien.

31 posted on 05/13/2008 1:02:47 PM PDT by Doomonyou (Let them eat lead.)
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To: calex59
”Hunting coyotes in California is perfectly legal”

I am a bit confused here.

I have lived in the County of LA all my life and regularly see coyotes in the local hills. I am not allowed to carry a weapon or get a hunting license in these areas that I know about.

You must be talking about different counties of California or something?

32 posted on 05/13/2008 1:03:42 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: george76

“Scientists probe recent coyote attacks in California”

Scientists or environmental bureaucrats? There is a difference.


33 posted on 05/13/2008 1:05:00 PM PDT by Rebelbase (McCain: The Third Bush Term ?)
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To: Steve Van Doorn
I have lived in the County of LA all my life and regularly see coyotes in the local hills. I am not allowed to carry a weapon or get a hunting license in these areas that I know about.

Licences are good state wide. If you can't hunt in your county, it must be some LA thing.

34 posted on 05/13/2008 1:08:45 PM PDT by Doomonyou (Let them eat lead.)
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To: Steve Van Doorn
I have lived in the County of LA all my life and regularly see coyotes in the local hills. I am not allowed to carry a weapon or get a hunting license in these areas that I know about.

I have lived in the County of LA all my life and regularly see coyotes in the local hills. I am not allowed to carry a weapon or get a hunting license in these areas that I know about.

In CA proper you can hunt coyotes, no bag limit, no season. If you can't carry a weapon in your county you should be raising hell about it because it is legal according to state law. You should be able to get a hunting license regardless of where you live, but there may be restrictions on where you can hunt. Most counties in CA do not have restrictions on hunting coyotes. I live up north and we can hunt coyotes all we want and carry weapons also. You need to be raising some hell if they say you can't carry weapons.

35 posted on 05/13/2008 1:11:03 PM PDT by calex59
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To: george76
You want noise, I got noise.

BANG!!!!

< sound of bolt ejecting spent .25'06 shell >

36 posted on 05/13/2008 1:19:55 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: Doomonyou
I believe that coyotes are considered “Urban Wildlife” in LA County. It is illegal to kill, move, or harass “Urban Wildlife”. (I am not so sure of the “harass” part.)
37 posted on 05/13/2008 1:32:16 PM PDT by NathanR (Obama: More 'African' than 'American'.)
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To: NathanR
I believe that coyotes are considered “Urban Wildlife” in LA County. It is illegal to kill, move, or harass “Urban Wildlife”. (I am not so sure of the “harass” part.)

Good Grief. I forgot about that stupid "urban Wildlife" thing.

Is it still OK to "Harass" one with a well placed .357 if it's dragging you kid out of your yard?

38 posted on 05/13/2008 1:40:46 PM PDT by Doomonyou (Let them eat lead.)
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To: Doomonyou
I am not sure what is considered “harassing” wildlife. I would not use a rifle. (too many questions) However a well placed baseball bat should work fine.
39 posted on 05/13/2008 2:02:08 PM PDT by NathanR (Obama: More 'African' than 'American'.)
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To: george76

I have one of the worlds neatest noisemakers that you have ever seen. You look through the hole and place the cross where you want the noise to go. Then you slide the short lever and KAPOW the noise goes exactly where you wanted it to. I figured out after using it for quite a while that the size of the noise is .270 of an inch. It’s really neat. I like my noisemaker!


40 posted on 05/13/2008 2:15:33 PM PDT by B4Ranch
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To: USMCGunnut

If you have only seen one, once I would leave him alone unless he’s getting too close to the house. They do an excellent job of killing off the wood rats which can be a real pain in the butt to get rid of.


41 posted on 05/13/2008 2:33:26 PM PDT by B4Ranch
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To: ElkGroveDan

I was trying to be humorous.

It would appear that you are a little over-sensitive. Probably comes from living in Kalifornia.


42 posted on 05/13/2008 2:38:26 PM PDT by 43north (I hope we are around long enough to become a layer in the rocks of the future.)
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To: 43north; calex59
I was trying to be humorous.

By relying on unfounded stereotypes and ignorant misinformation, you failed miserably.

43 posted on 05/13/2008 2:45:42 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (The road to hell is paved with the stones of pragmatism.)
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To: Steve Van Doorn
I have lived in the County of LA all my life and regularly see coyotes in the local hills. I am not allowed to carry a weapon or get a hunting license in these areas that I know about.

Anyone in California qualified to hunt may obtain a hunting license. Many species are restricted by seasonal permits and need special tags to take them. Coyotes however are open season all the time. Of course there are rules on discharging a firearm with regard to proximity to roads and residential neighborhoods, so much of LA City is off limits (but not all of it.)

44 posted on 05/13/2008 2:50:00 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (The road to hell is paved with the stones of pragmatism.)
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To: calex59
Ok I looked it up:
You can not get a license in California to kill Coyote’s in the areas that most attacks are taking place which is around LA country and San Francisco County.

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/mammalregs.asp#473

This brochure clearly shows it is humans carelessness that is causing the problem
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/docs/coyotebrochure.pdf

These guidelines are the only acts we are legally allowed to take regarding Coyotes in the areas that attacks take place the most:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/publicsafety.html


Basically it seems only when there is some kind of act of aggression that needs to be confirmed (collaborating story I assume) by the specific coyote before you can get a response by Fish and game.

45 posted on 05/13/2008 2:51:11 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: ElkGroveDan

[By relying on unfounded stereotypes and ignorant misinformation, you failed miserably.]

In your opinion, sir. The government of California has provided PLENTY of stereotypes upon which to base my statements.

It is unfortunate that the less enlightened citizens of your state continue to elect these morons.


46 posted on 05/13/2008 2:51:14 PM PDT by 43north (I hope we are around long enough to become a layer in the rocks of the future.)
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To: Doomonyou
Please read my last post

thank you

47 posted on 05/13/2008 2:52:30 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: ElkGroveDan
please read post 45
thank you
48 posted on 05/13/2008 2:58:15 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: george76
Authorities dissuade people from hunting renegade coyotes themselves and suggest that they instead make noise ...

Coyotes are varmints in Idaho. The "noise" will be a rifle shot.

49 posted on 05/13/2008 2:59:44 PM PDT by Myrddin
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To: 43north

Your stereotypes make as much sense as someone who reads the news comparing you and your neighbors in the Southern part of Idaho to the panhandle and the very limited number of neo nazis who have made headlines there.


50 posted on 05/13/2008 3:00:58 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan (The road to hell is paved with the stones of pragmatism.)
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