Urban coyotes on the move

This spring, we added an exciting new species to our study: the coyote! After many months of monitoring Forest Park’s coyotes with camera traps, we collared two coyotes in the park. The first, named “Silver”, is a young male with mange. In the month since he was collared, Silver has traveled extensively in the areas north of Forest Park. The second coyote, a young pregnant female named “Solar”, was much healthier. As apex mammalian predators in many urban places, coyotes play a valuable role in cities’ ecological communities. We are thrilled to have added these coyotes to our study.

Scroll down for photos of our work with these incredible animals. Want to learn more? Read more about coyotes here and read a Post Dispatch story on our work with Forest Park’s coyotes here!

A camera trap photo of two coyotes in Forest Park. Motion triggered wildlife cameras help us understand when and where Forest Park’s wildlife can be found.

Forest Park Living Lab scientists perform a physical exam on an urban coyote.

From left to right, Stella Uiterwaal, Sharon Deem, and Jamie Palmer collect health samples from an anesthetized coyote.

Stella Uiterwaal attaches a GPS collar to a coyote.

A closer look at the GPS collar, which records location and activity data. It will drop off after about a year.

Interns Aidan Percer and Sarah Look doing a great job recording data.