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 endangered Newfoundland population of the American marten as well as interspecific 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 cause reductions in 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. The increasing coyote numbers may also result in reductions in red fox densities as has been reported elsewhere, however, it remains unclear how these two species will interact in this Province. Management of red fox and lynx may have to be reevaluated when coyotes become well established in Newfoundland. Although the sheep industry in Newfoundland is small, there are implications for individual farmers. There have been two coyote related sheep predation incidents reported, with several sheep killed in each instance.

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 faecal 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 7 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, focussed 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.