Spot a coyote on Prince Edward Island? Report it at upei.ca/coyote

Researchers at the University of Prince Edward Island have launched a new website to help track the population and activity of the Island's coyotes. The site, upei.ca/coyote, will provide valuable data about this non-native species which first arrived on the Island in the early 1980s. The project is called the Advanced Coyote Mapping Exercise, or ACME.

'It is important to know as much as possible about our coyote population before we can rationalize any approach to co-existing with these animals,' said Dr. Rob Löfstedt, professor of Theriogenology in the Department of Health Management at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College. 'Current estimates of the coyote population are based on pelt numbers, and their effects on farm animals, pets, and humans are based on anecdotal information. This site will help to substantiate this knowledge.'

Dr. Löfstedt encourages Islanders with first-hand coyote experiences to visit upei.ca/coyote and record their findings. Visitors to the site will also be able to track the accumulated reports on a map of Prince Edward Island.

If a coyote is seen, sighting can be reported by entering the key words 'coyote,' 'acme,' and 'UPEI' on any computer. This will bring up a site where they can report their observations. Those findings, and all the others reported on PEI will be available for them to see immediately.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Löfstedt via e-mail at lofstedt@upei.ca.

For information:

Dave Atkinson

Research Communications, UPEI

(902)620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca