The rules we make that coyotes break

Abstract

ABSTRACT We used mixed-methods to explore human experiences and motivations towards co-existence with coyotes in the Foothills Parklands of Alberta, Canada. Traditionally agricultural, this is one of Canada’s fastest urbanising landscapes, offering insight into a plurality of viewpoints and feedback loops related to the social construction of and co-existence with coyotes. Invoking theories of place and transgression, we provided a new lens on the problem of human–coyote entanglements. We interviewed 60 respondents (27 males; 33 females) on 48 properties (agricultural = 23; rural residential = 25). We posed closed- and open-ended questions exploring experience, perception, beliefs, sentiments and actions. Selected data were analysed here. Our word analysis neatly depicts the tension surrounding human engagements with coyotes. Respondents articulated critical distances reflecting ‘home place’. When coyotes transgressed the boundaries of the latter, respondents considered this un-natural behaviour or a biosecurity threat punishable by death. Landuse type, gender and prior depredation did not predict coyote killing. However, female respondents appeared more likely to view killing as ‘OK’ after a depredation event. Understanding motivations for killing requires further analysis and is essential to realising co-existence.