compiled: Mintina
2009, why did the coyote wolf pack attack and kill an Toronto folk singer hiking in Nova Scotia province? Scientists think they finally found the answer
Photo provided by Shutterstock
In 2009, a coyote in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Canada attacked 19-year-old Taylor Mitchell, causing his death. This is the first time a coyote attack on humans in North American history. This shocked researchers, wildlife conservators and outdoor enthusiasts. What exactly causes earth-shaking changes in the coyote/human relationship in the park?
Scientists published in the Journal of Applied Ecology show that they got the answer. Their report is titled "The bad environmental conditions lead to severe conflict: a new ecological interpretation of extreme behaviors of coyotes attacking humans." Among them, Stan Gehrt, the report's lead author, argues that the coyotes in the region are known for their unique lifestyle. They start with hunting, killing elk .
Extreme adaptability
Gehrt, a professor at the Oregon School of Environment and Natural Resources argued that this transition from small hunting objects (standard definition of coyotes) to large hunting populations (extremely unusual) directly leads to potential conflicts with humans.
By analyzing collected beard and fur samples, wildlife researchers found that coyotes in Cape Breton Highlands National Park regarded large animals, such as elks as hunting objects, provided by Shutterstock
"Based on our description, these animals basically rely on elks to expand their ecosystems. And we can go a step further, not just to justify what they do, but to actually kill elks when possible. This is indeed difficult for them, and in addition, because they eat very little compared to their prey," Gehrt told CNET Media. "And this leads to conflicts with humans that you don't normally see."
Small prey disappears
Gehrt and co-authors of the report pointed out that "extreme environmental conditions" are due to the disappearance of typical food resources of coyotes in the park.
Gehrt's team collected samples of beards involved in the fatal attacks of coyotes and involved other non-fatal attacks of coyotes. They also collected samples of typical prey of coyotes (rodents, snowshoe hares and other small mammals) and atypical foods (elked, humans).
Through carbon and nitrogen isotope research, the team found that elk accounted for half to 2/3 of coyote food. Analysis of coyote feces also confirmed such findings.
Negative relationships between coyotes/humans are quite common, but there is only one fatal record of coyote attacking adult men in North American history
Photo provided: Shutterstock
So, what is this meaning for the future of coyote-human relationship? In short, scientists believe that there will be no change. Coyotes are extremely adaptable - which is their excellent feature - but such a situation is unlikely to lead to a fatal attack.
"Our conclusion suggests that coyotes are extremely rare for humans to bite for no reason and are likely to be associated with unique ecological reasons," Gerht's report wrote.
Information source: Andrew Marshall
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