An analysis of human-coyote relationship in metropolitan Atlanta, Ga

Human-coyote interactions are an increasing challenge for North American wildlife managers. My objectives were to: 1) provide data on the types and general spatial distribution of human-coyote interactions in metropolitan Atlanta; 2) identify landscapes associated with human-coyote interactions; and 3) investigate the validity of claims of coyote-pet attacks and the potential effects of assuming a coyote attacked a pet. Human-coyote interactions were positively correlated with open space landscapes. A change in scale led to differences in both how correlated a variable was with interactions and relationships among variables. Sixty-four percent of individuals who reported that a coyote attacked their pet did not actually witness it. I provide evidence that such assumptions led to more negative views towards coyotes, lethal removal of coyotes, and entered news media. I recommend managers conduct investigations to verify attacks to avoid unwarranted negative feelings towards coyotes, unnecessary management actions and inappropriate broadcast of risk messages.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Hooper, Jeremy W.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gaudin, Timothy J.
• Mowry, Christopher B.; Wilson, Thomas P.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Coyote -- Control -- Georgia -- Atlanta Metropolitan Area
• Human-animal relationships -- Georgia -- Atlanta Metropolitan Area

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/468

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1611