Calgary in western Canada is beginning a study of their Coyote population to determine how people and their pets can best coexist with Coyotes........The.U. of Calgary Veterinary Medicine Dept. also wants to determine the extent of parasites in Calgary's domestic dogs, coyotes and rodents with the hopes of providing best information to area residents about how both they and canids can remain as healthy as possible....................And in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, a plan to foster coexistence(rather than elimination) with Coyotes is being undertaken by Alberta Fish & Wildlife

10 coyotes in Calgary to be fitted with GPS collars

beaconnews.ca

U of C's Alessandro Massolo, assistant professor of wildlife health ecology shows the humane traps, collars and cameras used in for the coyotes in Calgary study.  Photo courtesy City of Calgary.

This month, researchers from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will resume their study into the movements of coyotes in Calgary. The tag and release program will fit at least 10 coyotes with GPS collars which will allow researchers to monitor and track movements of the coyotes.

The City of Calgary is supporting the study.  The data gained will show how coyotes in Calgary move around the urban environment and interact with people, domestic animals and other urban wildlife.

"The data that we hope to collect from this study will also contribute to other ongoing studies we are carrying out with support from the City of Calgary," says Alessandro Massolo, assistant professor of wildlife health ecology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

"These studies include an examination of gastrointestinal parasites in Calgary dogs, urban coyotes and rodents, and another on dog fecal contamination of city parks. All of these are part of a broad, multi-year research program into wildlife health ecology here in Calgary that we hope will provide real, tangible benefits to the community."

The findings from these studies will help the City of Calgary with decisions in the future to improve the management of Calgary's natural areas.  It is hoped the data will help ensure a better and healthier environment for people, their pets and wildlife.

The tag and release phase of this study originally began in August 2012 before the City of Calgary requested a hiatus. Prior to the original launch, and again over the past few months, the study has been subject to rigorous academic ethics approval.

"The catch and release equipment is humane and not intended to injure animals or people," says Massolo. "The devices are toothless, padded with rubber and designed to hold the foot of the coyote. They are configured to ensure the pressure exerted by the device will not fracture or break the limbs of an animal.

"The whole aim of this study is to track coyotes in their movement – hurting them not only runs against our ethics as people who work with and care about animals, it is counter-productive to the research my students and I are undertaking."

"The devices will only be active between dusk and dawn in wooded or bushland sites in designated on-leash or no-dog areas, so they will not affect the way people use our parks and natural areas if they follow existing City bylaws and regulations."

For more information, please visit calgary.ca or the U of C's Coyote Study webpage

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City and Alberta Fish and Wildlife plan strategies to co-exist with coyotes

Beacon Staff Reporter

As Edmonton residential development moves to the outer edges of the city, there have been more sightings of coyotes in Edmonton.

A rise in coyotes within Edmonton communities is a growing cause for concern, prompting Alberta Fish and Wildlife to create new strategies.

Coyotes have long existed within the boundaries of the City of Edmonton. They are mainly seen in the river valley, but are being spotted more often in residential neighbourhoods, prompting an increase in calls to the City from concerned citizens.

As the City grows and expands into their habitat, more coyotes are adapting to food sources in residential areas, eating readily available food such as garbage, fruit and accessible pet food.

Because it is virtually impossible and undesirable to eradicate these animals, the City of Edmonton works with Alberta Fish and Wildlife on strategies to co-exist with them.

“Coyotes are extremely adaptable animals that play an important role in maintaining healthy urban ecosystems,” said Ramsey Cox, Park Ranger for the City of Edmonton. “Our focus is to balance citizen safety with a compassionate perspective of wildlife in urban areas.”

Experts agree that coyotes will steer clear of humans unless they learn that people area a food source, or naturally when coyotes are protecting their food or den.

To help prevent conflicts with coyotes officials remind residents to not ever feed them.

They also remind Edmonton homeowners to refrain from leaving garbage out (take it out only on the morning of collection), and to not leave fallen fruit from trees or bird seed spilled from feeders on the ground.

They also say that leaving pet food outside will attract coyotes.

It is also wise to not walk your dog off leash in areas frequented by coyotes, or leave a small dogs or cats out in the yard unattended for long periods of time.

For more information on coyotes and tips to follow when you encounter a coyote, call the Edmonton Coyote Information Hotline at 780-644-5744. You can also visit this link to learn more, or go to www.edmontonurbancoyotes.ca.

To report a problem coyote(s), call the City of Edmonton Park Rangers at 780-496-2950, or Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 780-427-3574.