In the winter of 2010 a multiple year study of coyotes located on Aquidneck Island yielded much information on the habits of local animals. The animals were tagged with collars that had GPS technology and reported the animals location on a daily basis after a year the collars were taken of the animals remotely. Working with locals and the schools systems the study yielded much valuable information about the habits of the animals. The most notable part of the study was that human involvement was leading to the population increases and the lack of fear of humans. Meaning that because people were feeding them the animals were becoming acclimated to humans. The other way the coyotes were feeding was carcases of large dead animals, road kill and farm animals that were left. The group that conducted the study is now studing a new carcass removal program for large animals. The group maintains that the human provided food needs to stop to prevent the coyote populations growth. Less food means that the families will have to range farther for food and have larger territories reducing the number of breeding family groups in the area. The novelty of this study is that it involves a group of animals that are to successful.
The group also works with local schools to teach them about coexhistance with the animals. Teaching the young to deal with these animals provides us with a group that will recognize the importance of proper management practices.
The GPS tracking that was done with these animals is amazing. They have maps that show how the animals range. What a wonder technology is. I wonder how many parents wish they could track their children the same way.
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