HARRY AND MEGHAN'S TEMPORARY NEW HOME IN AMERICA IS NOT "SAFE"

 PHOTO BY GETTY: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK for the US earlier this year after announcing they are stepping down from royal duties to become more "financially independent"

Prince Harry and Meghan’s bid to start a new life in America away from parasites and snakes in the grass may have backfired. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could have to deal with blood-sucking ticks and dog ­snatchers around the eight-bed mansion they are staying at in California.

Animal lovers Harry and Meghan will also have to be on their guard for mountain lions, rattlesnakes and coyotes.

Coyotes and other wildlife are common in their new neck of the woods

The couple – who share their home with black ­labrador Oz and rescue beagle Guy – will spot signs ­warning of the dangers dotted around their new neighbourhood.

Singers LeAnn Rimes, 37, Demi Lovato, 27, and Jessica Simpson, 39, are among the locals whose dogs have been snatched by coyotes.

A general view of the guard gated neighborhood where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are looking to establish their residence, Serra Retreat in Malibu, California on April 01, 2020. 

A source said: “These things are a real threat here – they can and do kill.

“Back in England, the most threatening animal Harry and Meghan were likely to meet was probably a fox or a deer, but the situation here is very different.”

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

The Sussexes temporary home is close to the mountains and next to a trail popular with hikers and the animals.

Our source said: “Meghan and Harry know they have to take the threat ­seriously.

"This area is beautiful and provides a wonderful vista but when things go wrong, they can go ­seriously wrong.”

Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, have screened off the sprawling £15million mansion in Beverly Hills.

According to their official website, the couple will continue to use Frogmore Cottage (pictured) in Windsor, England, as their official residence – with the permission of the queen. It was further reported that they will pay rent and other running costs. In their statement announcing the step-down, the duo expressed the desire to pay back the nearly $3 million that was spent on the renovation of the cottage, where they moved in right before the birth of their son Archie.

The couple and son Archie, one, are guests of US ­producer Tyler Perry, 50.

It is understood the Sussexes are staying for free at the property, which would cost £200,000 a month to rent, while they search for a permanent LA home.

A spokesman for LA’s Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority said: “Attacks are rare but they do happen.

Harry and Meghan announced the name of their non-profit empire foundation — Archewell. “Before SussexRoyal came the idea of ‘arche’ — the Greek word meaning ‘source of action. We connected to this concept for the charitable organization we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name," the couple revealed to The Telegraph. The future foundation will focus on emotional support groups, an educational empire, and a wellbeing website.

"We don’t want any new incidents now that the trails have just reopened after the lockdown.”

“Dogs are easy targets for hunters like ­mountain lions and owners should keep them on a leash when hiking or make sure they are in a secure place at home.

“Children should also be watched at all times. It may be minutes from the centre of Beverly Hills, but anyone in the area should remember they are out in nature, not in the city.”

-----MIRROR