Coyote-tracking web site planned

A veterinarian at Charlottetown's Atlantic Veterinary College is hoping to start a website to keep track of coyote sightings and incidents on P.E.I.

There are reports of coyotes attacking livestock or pets or of increased numbers of coyotes in some areas, said Dr. Rob Lofstedt, but there has been no real way of measuring the information. Lofstedt said the website will provide an opportunity for Islanders to share information.

"Is there a call for serious population control or can we live with these animals with the population control measures that we have in hand? What is the situation? Just how serious is the problem on P.E.I., or is there a problem at all," he said.

"I feel there probably is a problem, but we have to establish that objectively."

Lofsted plans to develop the new site with help from his colleagues at UPEI as well as fish and wildlife officials. He said it will be similar to one already set up by the UPEI department of biology to monitor the red fox.

He hopes to have the website up and running early in the new year, in time for the breeding season for coyotes, whichstarts in February and March.