An eastern coyote is defined as much by its western coyote ancestry as by the DNA contribution from the eastern wolf. Coyotes in the northeast vary physically and behaviorally from their smaller western relatives while still maintaining their incredible adaptability. This program delves into the ecology and behavior of this creature, its indefatigability, and how humans must adapt to live with the coyote.

On the horizon, however, is a native carnivore that fled the northeast during wolf removal and now may be trying to return: The eastern wolf. A look-alike to the coyote, it has been killed mistakenly for its similarity of appearance to the coyote. We’ll talk about how the wolf and coyote might negotiate a truce in the northeast and how we might do the same.

Led by Chris Schadler, Wild Canid Ecologist. Program will be held in the Hobbs Library Community Room. Registration is required.

About the Instructor: Chris Schadler

Chris earned a Masters in Conservation Biology at Antioch University Graduate School.  Her thesis focused on the natural recovery of the Eastern Timber Wolf in Michigan.  While wolf recovery was the focus of her early work in the l970’s, Chris’ attention shifted to the eastern coyote when she moved to New England in the 1980s. She chose a farm beset with coyote problems to raise sheep and train her border collies.  Using sound livestock management and common sense, she [and her sheep] avoided any predation.  

Beginning in the early 1990s, Chris taught in the Dept of Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire and instructed and mentored adult degree candidates in the UNH System at Granite State College. 

Chris recently co-founded the NH Wildlife Coalition which advocates for predators and is the NH Representative for Project Coyote and Chairs the Webster Conservation Commission. She continues her work of nearly 40 years educating the public about the eastern coyote and the benefits of coexisting with wild creatures.