 Background:
Coyotes are found in 49 states and are one of our country’s most
adaptable wild animals. Though coyotes have been widely studied in most
parts of their range, little is known about their movements and habitat
use in the desert Southwest, including the Sonoran Desert. In recent years,
new technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) radio-collars,
has increased our ability to study wildlife in more efficient and effective
ways. The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Research Branch is utilizing
this technology to gain insight into the habits of animals that are known
to travel great distances or that frequent rough or remote areas. Since
few studies have examined the daily movements and habitat use by Sonoran
Desert coyotes, we are conducting a study that will expand our knowledge
of this desert predator.
Location:
Since April 2003, we have worked in 4 different
areas of southern Arizona. Our study sites
include the Barry M. Goldwater East Tactical
Range, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma
Proving Grounds, and adjacent Bureau of Land
Management Lands.
 Approach:
We have conducted capture operations for coyotes
each spring since 2003. We captured five coyotes
in 2003, eleven coyotes in 2004, and seven
coyotes in 2005 and fitted each animal with
GPS radio-collars. Each collar collected precise
locations (accurate to within 15 feet) at established
time intervals (once every 1-5 hours) and stored
them on a microchip inside the collar. After
a pre-determined operation time (5-12 months),
a pre-programmed release mechanism caused the
collar to automatically drop-off for retrieval.
A supplemental VHF transmitter inside the collar
was used to locate and verify the status of
each coyote at monthly intervals and also to
find the collar after it dropped off the animal.
After retrieval, location data are downloaded
from the collar and analyzed using Geographic
Information System (GIS) software.
Benefits:
This study will provide insight into the seasonal and yearly home range
size of desert coyotes, the length of their daily movements, the types
of habitat they frequent, and their use of wildlife water developments
and other features on the landscape.
For more information
contact:
Bob Waddell, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
.
Phone: (602) 789- 3273 E-mail: bwaddell@azgfd.gov |
