Chronicle Online e-News
CU experts to give tips on keeping wild canines away
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan08/wild.canines.sl.
html
Jan. 4, 2008
Coyotes, wolves, foxes and other wild canines are getting bolder in
New York state and other areas of the Northeast. In fact, almost 75
percent of livestock death losses in the region are due to coyotes on
the prowl, according to American Sheep International.
One solution, say Cornell experts, is to raise a Great Pyrenees guard
dog with livestock, because as it grows, the dog will protect the
livestock from such unwanted canine predators as coyotes.
To provide such tips to livestock producers, hunters, trappers and
landowners on how to cope with wild canines, Cornell Cooperative
Extension will offer a free video-linked workshop at noon, Jan. 19,
from Canton, N.Y., which will be broadcast live at extension offices
throughout northern New York.
Nathan M. Roberts, a doctoral candidate in Cornell's Department of
Natural Resources, and Andrew J. MacDuff, a wildlife biologist with
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will
discuss not only how to keep wild canines away but also the history
and ecology of coyotes, wolves and foxes in New York, the current
status and legal issues related to wild canines and how human
encroachment into wild canine habitat areas has changed the
predators' behavior.
The presentation is hosted by the North Country Shepherds, a group of
small ruminant producers, and supported by CCE of St. Lawrence County
with support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development
Program.
"As predator populations increase in New York, there is increasing
interest in learning about them and how to live with them," said
Roberts, adding that understanding the biology and history of the
wildlife that inhabit one's property is important to managing them.
MacDuff said, "Coyotes are now common on the landscape of New York.
The public should be aware that there are several legal options
available for managing coyotes that have become a nuisance."
"Trying to prevent losses to wild canines costs producers in extra
fencing and keeping guardian animals. Those costs can eat away profit
rather quickly," said program organizer Betsy Hodge, small livestock
educator with CCE of St. Lawrence County. "The workshop is a great
opportunity to learn about measures we can take to reduce losses and
protect profits."
To find out if the video-linked presentation is available in a
particular area, contact the local CCE office. For more information,
contact Betsy Hodge at <betsyhodge@twcny.rr.com> or (315) 379-0607.
To register to attend the program at the CCE Learning Farm in Canton,
call Anita Morrill at (315) 379-9192, ext. 234.
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