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.