For 25 years, the Urban Coyote Research Project has been studying the ecology of urban coyotes in the Chicago area. Researchers monitor and examine coyote behavior, health, and genetics through live capture and radio-collaring, led by Dr. Stanley Gehrt from Ohio State University and Chris Anchor at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
The non-biased research project is one of the longest and most comprehensive studies of its kind, providing insight into how coyotes interact with human landscapes, domestic animals, and other wildlife. While primarily focused on scientific study, the project recognizes the importance of public education and has worked extensively to share information on its findings on its website, Urban Coyote Research Project.
Why study urban coyotes?
Few carnivorous mammals thrive in urban settings, and until this study, scientists knew little about how coyotes adapted to and interacted with urban life. As urban areas continue to expand, more interactions between humans and wildlife will occur. By studying coyote ecology and behavior, researchers can help us understand how to coexist with coyotes and other wildlife.
Research helps scientists get a better understanding of how to responsibly manage coyote coexistence by asking questions such as when coyotes are active, what they eat in urban areas, where they raise their young, how long they live, and whether they help control pests.
Monitoring data from samples taken from coyotes helps researchers recommend strategies for coexisting with homeowners, and also provides an early alert system for human health. Zoonotic diseases, are diseases that can be passed from animals or wildlife to humans, and “73% of emerging and re-emerging pathogens are zoonotic,” and show up in wildlife three to five years before being presented in humans as an outbreak, according to The World Health Organization. Zoonotic diseases, such as West Nile virus, leptospirosis, and coronaviruses, are examples. Scientists within the project keep a biological library of blood and tissue samples that can show historical evidence of background pathogens and current detection of emerging threats. If threats are found, researchers can alert public health agencies to potential risks circulating within the ecosystem. This helps communities to be proactive, rather than reacting once an outbreak has occurred.
Within this study, it has been found that the coyote population appears to be relatively healthy and poses no serious human health risk.
How are coyotes studied?
Over 1,600 individual coyotes have been tagged or radio-collared within the Chicago metropolitan area. Researchers live-trap coyotes in carefully selected areas. Once trapped, coyotes get a health assessment and are fitted with a radio collar that takes a daily reading. The locational data points that are collected provide a comprehensive look into coyote behavior.
Also, each spring, coyote pups are assessed, and a microchip tag is inserted in case the individual is recaptured. This helps measure density and population dynamics over the lifetime of an animal.
Major findings about urban coyotes
Researchers have found that coyotes are living in unexpected urban areas, even areas with little natural space, and are much more adapted than originally thought. With an abundance of easily obtained food like rabbits, rodents, and Canada geese, urban coyotes have smaller home territories and higher population densities than rural coyotes.
Major coyote conflicts directly with humans are extremely rare. In fact, only one documented case of an attack on a human has occurred in the past 40 years in Cook County. Most conflicts are traced to intentional or accidental feeding, such as leaving pet food or trash out at night or having large bird feeders that attract small mammals and rodents, and can lead to a targeted hunting spot for coyotes.
Scientists have also found that urban coyotes shift their active time to nighttime rather than daytime. Coyotes also perform valuable ecosystem functions in reducing pest populations of deer, Canada geese, and rodents.
Coexisting with coyotes
While major conflicts with coyotes are uncommon, people should be aware and reflect on behaviors that might unintentionally attract coyotes.
Six ways to avoid conflicts with urban coyotes
- Do not feed coyotes intentionally and review your yard for any unintentional feeding. This may include bird feeders that attract squirrels or rodents, compost bins or garbage, and excess pet food left outdoors. Coyotes can become habituated to food sources and lose their natural fear of humans.
- Avoid allowing pets to run loose, whether in your yard or at a park. Feral cats can also attract coyotes, so feeding feral cats can attract coyotes.
- Do not run from a coyote. When encountering a coyote, remain calm, stand tall, and make noise. During spring, when pups are young, coyotes may be protecting their young. Also, be very cautious when encountering a coyote during the day. These coyotes may have lost their fear of humans, increasing their risk of attack.
- Fences and lighting may deter coyotes. Repellents like motion-activated lighting and tall fencing that is 6’ with a roller bar on top may help deter coyotes.
- Do not agitate coyotes exhibiting normal coyote behavior.
- Report aggressive or dangerous coyotes immediately. This includes coyotes who show an absence of fear of humans or exhibit typical aggressive canine behavior –snarling, lunging, growling. Reporting can be done through your municipal animal control or police department. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources can also provide guidance; find a wildlife biologist.
For more information about coyotes, the research, and management strategies, visit Urban Coyote Research Project.
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