Why are Coyotes Important in an Ecosystem?
Population Control
Mesocarnivores such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes as well as feral cats can have a destructive impact on bird populations by raiding nests, etc. While coyotes can coexist with these species, studies indicate that coyotes limit mesocarnivore populations largely through competitive exclusion, thereby having a positive impact on ground-nesting birds and songbird diversity and abundance. Environmental Caretakers As scavengers, coyotes provide an ecological service by helping to keep our communities clean of carrion (dead things). Coyotes provide an invaluable public health service by helping to control rodents, thus reducing the spread of rodent-born zoonotic diseases such as hantavirus. Thus, coyotes provide benefits to both urban and rural communities by keeping rodent and lagomorph populations in check. City dwellers enjoy cleaner environments (and avoid having to use rat poisons that can impact non-target animals). Ranchers benefit from coyotes controlling micro-herbivores (such as rabbits and gophers) that otherwise compete with their grazing animals for food. Farmers also suffer less crop loss or damage when coyotes naturally control rodent populations. www.projectcoyote.org |
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Getting Along with Coyotes
Eliminate Resources
Coyotes go where the food is-just like any dog. By eliminating the resources they desire (also known as attractants) we eliminate their interest in our backyards or specific areas. Tips on this include:
1. Never feed coyotes (even if they're hungry looking). Intentional and unintentional feeding of coyotes creates the majority of conflict.
2. Keep pet food indoors.
3. Keep trash cans covered and compost secure.
4. Clean up any fallen fruits or berries.
5. Properly remove deadstock on ranches or farms.
6. Do not allow any bird feeders to overflow.
Educate Your Coyotes
Coyotes are highly intelligent animals, and can be taught just like our dogs. We want to teach them to avoid people and pets and to stay out of certain areas. Using aversion conditioning techniques, known as hazing, can help coyotes learn to stay away from people.
Hazing can include:
These non-lethal solutions have proven effective time and time again in communities across Canada.
www.coyotewatchcanada.com & www.thefurbearers.com
Coyotes go where the food is-just like any dog. By eliminating the resources they desire (also known as attractants) we eliminate their interest in our backyards or specific areas. Tips on this include:
1. Never feed coyotes (even if they're hungry looking). Intentional and unintentional feeding of coyotes creates the majority of conflict.
2. Keep pet food indoors.
3. Keep trash cans covered and compost secure.
4. Clean up any fallen fruits or berries.
5. Properly remove deadstock on ranches or farms.
6. Do not allow any bird feeders to overflow.
Educate Your Coyotes
Coyotes are highly intelligent animals, and can be taught just like our dogs. We want to teach them to avoid people and pets and to stay out of certain areas. Using aversion conditioning techniques, known as hazing, can help coyotes learn to stay away from people.
Hazing can include:
- Picking up any small dogs or children with you, to make yourself seem larger.
- Making yourself large and loud- shout "Go away Coyote!" and wave your arms above your head.
- Create shake cans or use a walking stick that you can throw toward (but not at) a coyote to scare them.
- Use motions sensitive lights or sprinkler systems to make an area less appealing, particularly at night.
- Never run from a coyote.
These non-lethal solutions have proven effective time and time again in communities across Canada.
www.coyotewatchcanada.com & www.thefurbearers.com
Article: Medium.com |
Video: The Furbearers: Coyotes and Hazing |