evaluating the winter diet of a pack of coyotes (canis latrans) in a periurban environment on georgian bay
abstract
this thesis explores the diet of a pack of coyotes in a periurban environment on
the southern extent of georgian bay, west of the town of collingwood. coyotes have
seen a massive expansion in their range, and even though they are occupying
increasingly urban areas, their biology has stayed relatively unchanged. coyotes for
years have been a focal point in many news articles and local politics due to a perceived
threat on human safety and the safety of pets. through the winter months of 2021, their
diet was evaluated using scat dissections. their diet was found not to differ significantly
from other studies, with lagomorphs and rodents comprising at least 39%; their diet was
partially supplemented by the availability of domestic dogs, but there was little evidence
of garbage in their scats. it is suggested that education and informative postings in
collingwood and other similar communities should be increased to inform the public
and mitigate risk of conflict between these canids and humans.
collections
- undergraduate theses [325]