Coyote impact on Vashon Island

• Coyotes are adaptable, intelligent, and resourceful predators with heightened senses.
• They have become increasingly common on Vashon Island.
• Islanders have reported more sightings across Puget Sound, especially concerning for those with chickens and small pets.
• Sightings occur even during the daytime in urban areas.
• Coyote sightings have been reported throughout Seattle.

Vashon Nature Center Study

• The Vashon Nature Center is collaborating with the Prugh Lab at the University of Washington to study coyote scat DNA, which is the first research of its kind west of the Cascades.
• The study aims to determine the coyote population's growth, origin, and biological traits by isolating DNA samples from scat.
• The research will indicate how related the local coyotes are, which will give an idea of how much immigration is happening, and how much new blood is coming in.

Coyote History on Vashon

• The first recorded coyote on Vashon was in 1960 when a resident killed one, documented by The Beachcomber.
• By the 1990s, equestrian riders in Paradise Ridge heard coyotes in the woods.
• In the mid-2000s, the Nature Center photographed a coyote on Vashon.
• Coyotes likely reached the island by swimming across the Colvos Passage, which is less than a mile wide at low tide.

Howling Surveys

• Researchers can make population estimates with a large enough genetic database; the howling survey is currently the best tool.
• Since 2015, the Nature Center has conducted annual howling surveys to estimate the local coyote population by eliciting calls.
• No survey was conducted last year because of the pandemic.
• Researchers pinpoint the source of the howls to identify the presence of coyote packs rather than counting individuals.
• Two howls were heard in the first year, suggesting two packs, and four responses were recorded in 2019 in Maury Island, the south end, Island Center, and the north end.

Population Growth

• The Vashon coyote population is not rapidly growing and is likely nearing its capacity on the island.
• Increased sightings may be because people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic and are more aware of wildlife.

Coyote Interaction

• It is important to be cautious around coyotes and haze those that seem unafraid of humans by making yourself big and noisy.

DNA Analysis

• The University of Washington's Laura Prugh is collaborating with the Nature Center on coyote DNA project.
• DNA can reveal information about wildlife and species interactions.
• Samples from Vashon showed remarkably low genetic diversity, indicating a "founder effect" where the population started with few individuals.
• Future analysis will identify prey items using next-generation sequencing.

Coyote Adaptability

• Coyotes are adaptable and thrive despite human persecution, with social complexity and ecological importance.
• Their varied diet can significantly impact their prey and other species.

The Vashon Nature Center and the University of Washington are studying coyote scat DNA to determine the coyote population's growth, origin, and biological traits. Sightings are increasingly common, even during the daytime in urban areas. The first recorded coyote on Vashon was in 1960.