Eastern Coyote - Environment and Conservation

Range Expansion by the Eastern Coyote to Insular Newfoundland

The eastern coyote (Canis latrans) likely arrived in insular Newfoundland by crossing pack ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The first coyote sighting occurred on March 29, 1985 when three animals, reported as wolves, were seen coming ashore from pack ice off Marches Point on the Port au Port Peninsula on the provinces’ west coast. Additional sightings on pack ice were made in 1989 and 2000. Sighting and trap records from 1986 to 2000 indicate that coyotes are now widely dispersed across the island. The coyote will almost certainly thrive and become a major presence in Newfoundland, with an abundant food supply and lack of competitors.

The entry of this predator may have implications both for native species and for the sheep farming industry. There may be increased predation rates on woodland caribou, Arctic hare, the threatened Newfoundland population of the American marten, as well as inter-specific competition with lynx and red fox. There has been one documented observation of a coyote hunting Arctic hare, and several unconfirmed reports of predation on caribou. The addition of another significant predator on snowshoe hare may dampen population fluctuations and reduce the harvest potential of this important small game animal. Caribou calves are especially vulnerable to coyote predation and a significant proportion of calf mortality has been attributed to coyotes in a small caribou herd in southern Quebec.

Increasing coyote numbers may also result in reduced red fox densities as has been reported elsewhere, however, it remains unclear how these two species will interact in this province. Red fox and lynx management may have to be reevaluated when coyotes become well established in Newfoundland.

To date, very little biological data has been collected on coyotes in Newfoundland. Reports from Conservation Officers and the public relating to coyotes are being compiled and will be published in a report titled, "Range Expansion by the Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans) to Insular Newfoundland."

Coyote carcasses from trappers and road kills are being collected opportunistically to gather basic biological information about the species. Analysis of stomach contents and fecal material of examined animals indicated that they fed on snowshoe hare, moose, beaver, red fox, red squirrel, masked shrew, ruffed grouse, various passerine bird species, and fruits such as blueberries, mountain holly, and choke cherry. Body measurements have been taken from road-killed and trapped animals. All were in very good physical condition with moderate to abundant fat stores. Unidentified tapeworms were recovered from one animal.

Predicting the ecological consequences of coyote range expansion is a significant challenge. Research on this new predator will largely be determined by the availability of additional resources. If funds become available, focused studies of coyote home range size, densities, food habits, and their effects on native species will be conducted. Such studies will be essential in order to clarify and mitigate the impacts of coyotes on the ecosystem in Newfoundland.

For more information on coyotes in Newfoundland,
click on these Wildlife Division publications:

Coyotes in Insular Newfoundland: Current Knowledge and Management
of the Island's Newest Mammalian Predator

Coyotes: General Biology, Management & Harvest Strategies