How many time do we have to conduct Coyote removal studies to continue to reach the proven scientific fact that while coyote removal might cause some rebound of a prey species, it never lasts long as new coyotes move into vacant territories and tend to then have compensatory larger litters of pups...........With more coyote mouths to feed, targeted prey animals feel the impact...............So with all this said, Mr. Terry French, the New Foundland, Canada Minister of Environment has decided to green-light a "controlled experiment" where Coyotes will be snared to determine how large an impact they have on Caribou Calve predation.............A waste of time and money if you ask me!

Caribou-coyote link to be tested

thetelegram.com

 

Will removing coyotes from caribou ranges impact calf survival rates? That's the question researchers will attempt to answer during a controlled experiment on the south coast of Newfoundland.

Research indicates that coyotes may be the main threat to caribou calf populations in the southern Middle Ridge area, said Minister of Environment and Conservation Terry French. In other areas of the province, black bears are the main predator of caribou calves, he said.

"This experimental program will help us determine if a significant reduction in these predators during the calving season will lead to increased calf survival rates," said French.

Snares have been set by professional trappers and will be checked regularly. The snares will be removed in May before caribou calving begins, according to a news release from the Department of the Environment.

The coyote carcasses will be analyzed to determine food habits, genetics and body size.
"Efforts like this one in Middle Ridge will help us answer key questions about the role of coyotes in caribou population dynamics, and help us make strategic management decisions around future efforts for helping stabilize our caribou herds to a sustainable level. It is our hope that we will see a measurable improvement in calf survival rates following this initiative," French said.

Caribou with calf