The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry issued a statement today recognizing the outstanding efforts of a P.E.I. trapper to control problem coyotes on Prince Edward Island. Despite taking precautions, this summer a sheep farmer in eastern P.E.I. lost a large number of animals to local coyotes. In this case, the coyotes took lambs and adult sheep and threatened the remainder of the flock for several weeks.
When a land owner reports an animal killing livestock, the Department conducts an investigation. If the animal in question is found to be a coyote, the Department can issue a permit to designated trappers that allows them to work with the land owner to address the problem. In some cases hunters are also used for nuisance animal control.
“Trappers must be well trained and able to deal with these animals in an effective and humane manner,” said Kate MacQuarrie, director of Forests, Fish and Wildlife. “In this case, trapper Carl Balsor made a tremendous effort to catch the main culprits, spending many hours identifying their feeding and movement patterns and then setting and checking his traps. Eventually he was successful and, hopefully, this will mean that the coyote problem in this area will be more manageable over the next few years.”
The Department considers trapping an effective tool to manage local problems, but Islanders should be aware that coyotes are on the Island to stay. People are advised to properly dispose of dead livestock and garbage to avoid attracting coyotes and to put up proper fencing to keep them out of the fields. “While some coyotes cause problems, most do not,” said the director. “If a problem does arise, land owners can call 1-866-368-4683 and we will assess the situation.”