A Wildlife Article from All-Creatures.org

Coyotes: the other wild canine

From Reality Checks with Staci-lee
July 2024

Every year U.S. Wildlife Services kills tens of thousands of coyotes. In 2020 they killed over 62,000, as part of the ½ million total of other native wild animals they kill including many endangered species. In total it’s estimated that coyote killings number between 400,000 - 500,000 every year. This number reflects known kills. Some of the most egregious abuse come from killing contests. The name says it all.

Coyote mom and pup - image from Palm Beach Florida Weekly

Wolves have been in the news lately with the recent unlimited hunting that has decimated their population. Their cousin, the coyote, rarely gets the same media attention. Wolves and coyotes live in close knit packs with complex social hierarchy run by the alpha pair, usually the only pair that breeds. Solitary coyotes are usually yearlings who have ventured out on their own or old and sick members kicked out. The biggest difference is how easy the coyote has learned to live in an urban environment.

Unlike wolves which seek to avoid humans the coyote has managed to survive and sometimes thrive in densely populated areas. Much of this is due to loss of wildness and decrease of their food supply. As human hunters continue to depopulate areas of native wildlife like deer, elk and rabbit, coyotes will continue to move closer to human habitat in search of food. Sometimes this means someone’s pet cat or dog. The loss of a pet is tragic but would rarely happen if responsible pet owners kept their pets on a leash and an eye on them when in the yard.

A coyote mother and pups howl at the Minnesota Wildlife Connection in Sandstone, Minnesota.

If you live near wildlife remember it was their home first before you came. A six foot fence and night light can keep your pets safe. When walking a dog keep on a leash but also carry a stick, whistle or mace, most threats come from loose domestic dogs not coyotes. Unless a coyote is starving a little noise and picking up a small dog will go a long way. Cats are usually too fast and agile to catch but again never let them out loose or unattended. Keep in mind the media often gets it wrong, as do eye witnesses and coyotes often get blamed for attacks by dogs. Many ranchers have found success using guard dogs and speakers with human voices as non lethal deterrents.

Just another coyote killing 'contest' - Moondog Madness Round Two weigh-in: Wisconsin August 2024
 

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Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: July 25, 2024
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