Evidence of Range Expansion of Eastern Coyotes, <em>Canis latrans</em>, in Labrador

Abstract

Eastern Coyotes were first documented in central Labrador in 1995 and have recently been recorded in coastal Labrador and at three additional locations in central and western Labrador. Here we document additional records indicating range expansion and the possibility of an established population. We also examine the future management of the species in Labrador and its possible effect on this northern ecosystem.Key Words: Coyote, Canis latrans, range, distribution, management, Labrador. 12°C in July. Average annual precipitation is 1250 mm with an average snowfall accumulation of 3.5 to 4.5 m (Meades 1990*).We interviewed trappers in remote communities throughout Labrador and fur buyers to assess the occurrence of Coyotes in the annual fur harvests. We also collected three carcasses, one harvested by trappers; the other killed on the highway. Local Conservation Officers reported one sighting near Goose Bay, Labrador. We found no other records of Coyotes harvested in other areas of Labrador. ResultsThe first record of a Coyote in Labrador is that of an adult male, caught by a trapper on 14 January 1995, along the Churchill River (53°17'N, 60°15'W) approximately 2 km south east of Happy ValleyGoose Bay (Chubbs and Phillips 2002). This specimen was caught during a period of low trapping effort and which continues in Labrador today ( Figure 1 1998). No geographic barriers exist to discourageCoyotes from extending their range northward into Labrador. Delineation of Coyote range expansion in Labrador may have been delayed due to the absence of systematic surveys for carnivore species and because low fur prices in the last decade decreased trapping effort (only three trapped specimens over a ten-year period). It has been known for some time (Lehman et al. 1991;Pilgrim et al. 1998) that hybridization of Wolf and Coyote genotypes has occurred in Québec due to the rapid northeast progression of Coyotes. More recently it has also been shown that eastern Coyotes share a common evolutionary ancestry with the North American eastern Wolf (Wilson et al. 2000;Wilson et al. 2003). The larger size of eastern Coyotes may have contributed to their success in range expansion into Labrador. Eastern Coyotes make use of snow packed by human activities, especially snowmobile trails, facilitating their travel and dispersal (Crête and Larivière 2003). Coyotes possibly maintain viable populations in northern forests, due to their high adaptability, great mobility, and low trapping effort (Trembley et al. 1998).Although a breeding record or incidence of an adult female Coyote has not yet been recorded in Labrador, the five records reported here, four of which were adult males, provide evidence of an established population. Labrador's healthy Wolf population may be a controlling mechanism, preventing a rapid population increase that has been observed in insular Newfoundland and elsewhere where Wolves are absent. Wolves are intolerant of Coyotes, killing them where both species overlap, permitting Coyotes to exist at low densities on the edge ...

Eastern Coyote/Coywolf (Canis latrans x lycaon) Movement Patterns: Lessons Learned in Urbanized Ecosystems

“…Coyotes have also been documented to travel across seemingly disparate areas, such as wide canals (Way 2002), bridges (Way 2009), islands (Thomas and Dibblee 1986), and on drifting pack ice (Chubbs and Phillips 2002). Documenting the movement of transient coyotes in urbanized areas enables managers to compare how they move in these landscapes compared to more rural environs (e.g., Gese et al 1996, Harrison 1992, Way 2007a, which could have practical implications.…”

First Confirmation of Cougar, <em>Puma concolor</em>, in the Yukon

“…Other northern areas are also witnessing colonization by some species of large mammals. For example, Moose (Alces alces) and Coyotes are relatively new additions to the mammalian fauna of Labrador (Chubbs and Schaefer 1997;Chubbs and Phillips 2002). In the Northwest Territories, Whitetailed Deer and Cougar also appear to be expanding northward (Veitch 2001;Gau et al 2001).…”

Winter Occurrences of Ivory Gulls, <em>Pagophila eburnea</em>, in Inland Labrador

“…These observations of Ivory Gulls in central Labrador may have been influenced by the recent southern extension of the winter range of the George River Caribou herd, which has occurred during the last two decades (Chubbs and Phillips 2005). Caribou from the George River herd have been recorded as far south as 52°10'N in central regions and may have facilitated the inland range expansion of other scavengers such as Coyotes (Canis latrans) into Labrador (Chubbs and Phillips 2005).…”

“…These observations of Ivory Gulls in central Labrador may have been influenced by the recent southern extension of the winter range of the George River Caribou herd, which has occurred during the last two decades (Chubbs and Phillips 2005). Caribou from the George River herd have been recorded as far south as 52°10'N in central regions and may have facilitated the inland range expansion of other scavengers such as Coyotes (Canis latrans) into Labrador (Chubbs and Phillips 2005). With the Canadian Arctic breeding population of Ivory Gulls possibly in peril, and little information on their life history outside their breeding grounds, our inland observations add to the knowledge of this species' feeding habits and migration stopovers in Labrador that may provide some insight into the recent decline of this species in Canada or aid in the recovery of the population.…”