Living with Coyotes: Exploring Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Alberta

Abstract

As human populations grow and utilize more space, interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife will become more common. Understanding human-wildlife coexistence, and in particular human-predator coexistence is a key area of research. My research uses a mixed-methods approach that combines interview data with data collected using a Geographic Information System depicting landscape pattern and processes to further our understanding of coyote coexistence and predation by coyotes on pets and livestock in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion of Alberta. The interview data represents 48 in-depth, in-person interviews with rural residential and agricultural participants, conducted in situ by Dr. Alexander and Dr. Draper between 2015 – 2017. Data on coexistence values, as well as participant demographics including livestock and pet ownership, predation events, biodiversity checklists, and property size were gathered through interviews. Geospatial data were derived from a geospatial database and were spatially tagged to each property. Three relationships were evaluated: 1) whether coexistence was impacted by demographics, livestock and pet ownership, predation events, or geospatial factors, 2) whether livestock and/or pet predation was impacted by demographics, livestock and pet ownership, biodiversity, or geospatial factors and 3) whether livestock predation specifically was impacted by demographics, livestock and pet ownership, biodiversity, or geospatial factors. Overall, participants were more likely to kill coyotes if they had experienced prior predation, which can be attributed to factors such as the impact of emotional trauma on lethal control methods. Predation by coyotes was more likely to occur on larger properties, which may be attributed to factors such as herd density, as well as if cats were present, who may act as coyote attractants. Since predation is a significant predictor of killing of coyotes, this study recommends three education-oriented strategies to reduce predation. These strategies include developing science communication materials to educate impacted communities about how to reduce predation risk. Reducing predation in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion (FPR) will reduce conflict between people and coyotes, setting an example for other communities across North America and improving human, livestock, pet, and coyote wellbeing.