vision2020
Re: Coyotes
Cats are only a fraction of the tempting food supply in town. There are
plenty of fat squirrels and an endless supply of garbage cans to lure those
smart and adaptable coyotes. Habitat destruction is also not the only
answer to why coyotes are invading the town. Their population could be
increasing faster than their food supply and so they will roam until they
find more food sources. Coyotes usually exhibit an "S shaped" population
curve in that it rises and falls with the amount of available food.
Occasionally, a species will exhibit a "J shaped" curve in which the
population experiences rapid and substantial growth in a short period of
time due to ideal conditions. The "J" curve is always followed by a sharp
decline in the population due to disease or a decimated food supply which
leads to starvation. I suspect that either our area coyotes are in a peak
of either the "S" or "J" population curves and are looking for more food
sources. I don't believe that we should automatically assume that humans
are directly responsible for coyotes coming to town, it could also be a
result of a couple of good years for pheasant, rabbits and other small
animals. We have had a couple of pretty mild winters. I would love to hear
the opinion of an educated biologist on this problem. My rudimentary
hypothesis is simply based on one semester of biology and twenty years of
hunting.
Travis Tonn
P.S. Humans may be responsible for the increased numbers of coyotes in
that many people have outlawed hunting in this area and thus increased the
number of pheasants, rabbits, quail etc. More food means more coyotes.
-----Original Message-----
From: M H <kmhowe@moscow.com>
To: Vision 2020 <vision2020@moscow.com>
Date: Thursday, June 08, 2000 7:25 AM
Subject: Re: Coyotes
>Where else do Coyotes have to live? Wild animals don't normally chose the
>dangers of populated areas, unless their natural habitat is being altered
by
>us. And Coyotes aren't the only dangers to cats out there.... There are
>lots of reasons to keep your cat in the house or in an appropriate
>enclosure: Other cats, dogs, cars, well-meaning children (who don't know
>how to handle an animal), cruel people, diseases from hunting infected
mice,
>etc.
>
>Our town is not very safe for Coyotes with our cars & people. Either we
>need to consider a massive effort to trap & remove the Coyotes to a safer
>place, or we need eliminate their food source by keeping our pets inside.
>Not only is it our responsibility to protect our pets from all dangers, but
>consider the large cost to capture & relocate the Coyotes. And, doesn't
>Moscow have an ordinance about roaming pets?
>
>-a local cat lover
>
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