Project Coyote

Project Coyote's dedicated team members and volunteers actively engage with local communities across the country to raise awareness about coexistence and wildlife protection. On September 20, Project Coyote’s Michigan State Representative, Carol Misseldine (right, photo 1), and volunteer Emily Scroggie spoke with visitors at the Foodie Fair in Detroit, MI about the campaign to end Wildlife Killing Contests. Project Coyote Advisory Board member, Sarah Killingsworth (right, photo 2), helped spread awareness about coyote coexistence alongside a Peninsula Humane Society volunteer at the annual Brisbane, California ‘Day in the Park’ event on October 5. Project Coyote volunteer and educator Dan DeVries and his wife, Chris, also represented our organization at the event. In September, several Project Coyote team members, volunteers, and donors were able to meet in person and celebrate nature with an inspiring hike through Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco, California. The group spotted more than 20 species of mammals and birds, including tundra swans, tule elk, coyotes, river otters, herons, owls, northern harrier hawks, a rare red-necked phalarope, and even a humpback whale! The excursion was a great reminder about why Project Coyote exists: to ensure that diverse natural spaces like Point Reyes, and the wildlife that call it home, are protected and appreciated for generations to come. Pictured left to right in photo 3: Christopher Lile, Fauna Thomlinson, Keli Hendricks, Philip Steir, Camilla Fox, Sarah Killingsworth and Daniel Dietrich.

"We are all interconnected." - Sheryl Hester, #CaptureCoexistence Contributor. Join Capture Coexistence: https://lnkd.in/egUrrTzZ

Shopping for wildlife advocates can be tricky—but our Holiday Gift Guide for Wild Carnivore Advocates makes it easy! From eco-friendly clothing and books to experiences, calendars, and coffee cups, we’ve got something for everyone. ?? Project Coyote Apparel ?? Our online store through Teemill is part of the first circular supply chain in the clothing industry! We now have t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies with our new logo! https://lnkd.in/d-3QT95r ?? Project Coyote Gifts??? Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, a white elephant gift, or a specific item for a loved one, our online store through Teemill now offers mugs, tote bags, journals, stickers, and more! https://lnkd.in/d-3QT95r ?? Writing for the Wild: Workshop & Lecture Series???? This workshop, led by Vanessa Chakour—Ambassador for Project Coyote’s Artists for Wild Nature program—makes the perfect experiential gift. The next workshop dates are in January 2025. 50% of proceeds are dedicated to Project Coyote! https://lnkd.in/epiak259 ?? 2025 Coyote Calendar???? Project Coyote #CaptureCoexistence Contributor, Nicole Wilde, created this beautiful coyote calendar with some of her inspiring coyote images and pledged 20% of proceeds to Project Coyote. https://lnkd.in/duUPtB33 ?? Coffee Table Book: “Coyote Conversations” ?? This beautiful book of poems and coyote photography by Project Coyote’s Colorado State Representative, Mark Surls, is the perfect gift for anyone who loves wild poetic beauty. Until December 20th, 100% of proceeds are donated to Project Coyote! https://www.surlsart.com/ ?? Children’s Book: “Harmony Among Neighbors” ?? Stephanie Becker, a talented #CaptureCoexistence Contributing photographer, recently published a wonderful children’s book, Harmony Among Neighbors, to creatively demystify coyote behavior and promote coexistence. A portion of proceeds from book sales are donated to Project Coyote. https://lnkd.in/diy-X3k9

This killing season (starting September 15), ?87? wolves have been killed in Montana, including 5 Yellowstone National Park wolves. In addition, there have been 30 wolves killed in Wyoming’s “trophy zone,” and countless more in Idaho, where near year-round slaughter is allowed. Without stronger, nationwide protections, wolves face an uncertain future. Wolves occupy *less than 10%* of their historic range, a stark reminder of the challenges they continue to face. On February 10, 2022, a federal judge restored federal protections for wolves in much of the contiguous U.S., but wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) region—where over 80% of wolf killings occur—were excluded. This exclusion emboldened NRM states to implement policies that permit the killing of up to 90% of their populations, threatening the fragile progress made in wolf recovery since wolves were reintroduced into the region. Unfortunately, wolves across the country outside the NRM could face another national de-listing from the Endangered Species Act next year. We're prepared to wage emergency lawsuits on behalf of wolves as we've done in Wisconsin and Montana if states take this opportunity to allow unscientific and unjust killings. Help us take action for wolves at ProjectCoyote.org and be sure to follow our partners at Team Wolf. #WolfWednesday #Wolves #Montana #Idaho #Wyoming ?? NPS, Ashton Hooker

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department have confirmed that Hope, a Mexican gray wolf known to be living west of Flagstaff, Arizona since at least June, was tragically found dead on November 7. Hope's journey broke barriers—quite literally—as she roamed north and established a territory beyond the confines of the "experimental population area" designated for Mexican gray wolves by wildlife managers. She stood as a powerful symbol of wolves' right to roam, establish territories, and raise families in wild lands across the region. Her death was a senseless crime, exemplifying the ongoing threats Mexican gray wolves face. We demand justice for Hope. In our post, you'll find photos of Hope taken when she was collared in July 2024, provided to Western Watersheds Project through a public records request. While the cause of her death is still unknown, if she was shot, the shooter must have known she wasn’t a coyote. This tragedy also highlights the importance of protecting coyotes. By extension, protecting coyotes helps protect other wildlife, including endangered species like the Mexican gray wolf. Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing a Mexican wolf is a federal crime punishable by up to $50,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, confiscation of firearms, vehicles, and buildings used in the crime, and potential civil penalties of up to $25,000. If you have information that may assist in solving crimes related to Mexican gray wolves, please contact one of the following agencies: USFWS Special Agents (Pinetop, AZ): (346) 254-0515 AZGFD Operation Game Thief: (800) 352-0700 NMDGF Operation Game Thief: (800) 432-4263 A reward fund totaling $103,500 is available for information regarding the illegal killings of Mexican gray wolves. ?? Photo of Hope courtesy of the Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, with collared images provided by the Western Watersheds Project through a public records request.

Americans Demand Protection for Wild Carnivores; Will Wildlife Agencies Finally Listen? The ongoing slaughter of wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, the return of gray wolves to California, the perilous reintroduction of wolves to Colorado’s Western Slope, and the ongoing debates over removing gray wolves from the Endangered Species List underscore a fundamental divide: the American public overwhelmingly supports protecting wild carnivores, yet many wildlife agencies remain stuck in a bygone era of eradication and control. Read the full piece by Project Coyote's Founder & Executive Director, Camilla Fox: https://lnkd.in/eesYX5Dt?

What does it mean to raise livestock with coexistence as a value? It's one thing to recreate in places where mountain lions, coyotes, and bears live. It's another to make ranching your livelihood in wild places. Learn about a day in the life of two successful, professional ranchers who peacefully raise livestock in lion and coyote country. Why did they choose to put coexistence at the center of their ranching operations? What are the investments needed to implement non-lethal deterrent programs at scale? What are key differences between coexisting with mountain lions and with coyotes, and is it possible to do both? Join our partners at the Mountain Lion Foundation on Wednesday, November 20 at 12pm PT via Zoom for a conversation with two coexistence ranchers, including Keli Hendricks, Project Coyote's Ranching With Wildlife Coordinator, about their work in California and neighboring states. Register: https://lnkd.in/e5Tx3ehg

Have you noticed more coyotes out and about than usual? ?????? It’s dispersal season! Young coyotes are leaving their families to find their place in the world—kind of like kids heading off to college. This increase in sightings doesn’t mean a population boom; it’s simply a more noticeable part of their life cycle. Plus, with less vegetation and snow-covered ground, they’re easier to spot this time of year. An increase in sightings is not a cause for alarm. Coyotes are naturally wary of people and prefer to keep their distance. As young coyotes explore new areas, here are some ways we can help them remain good neighbors: ? Secure all food sources: Feed dogs and cats indoors, secure trash bins, and pick up fallen fruit. ? Practice safe animal companion guardianship: Keep dogs on leash during walks, especially where coyotes are active. Territorial dogs and excessive barking can sometimes instigate an avoidable encounter. ? Never feed coyotes: Feeding them creates an association between people and food, which can lead to conflict. ? Keep an eye out: Slow down and watch for wildlife on roadways. Coyotes play a vital role in thriving ecosystems by naturally regulating populations of rodents and rabbits, reducing the spread of disease, and supporting biodiversity. Foster #CompassionateCoexistence by learning how to share the landscape with your wild neighbors!

???? The Fall Edition of The Coyote Chronicles is Now Available! ???? Our mission to protect North America's wild carnivores has been met with incredible momentum and promise over the last few months. Project Coyote collaborated with the Animal-Human Policy Center at Colorado State University to conduct a national public survey that revealed broad public support among U.S. citizens for addressing animal protection issues, including for stronger policies aimed at protecting wildlife. The study results, published in September, show that public attitudes toward wild carnivores are beginning to change, and wildlife policy needs to reflect this shift. Our campaigns this season have pushed forward essential work to educate the public and influence policy to safeguard wolves and other wild carnivores. This October, we celebrated Wolf Awareness Week—a time to shine a light on the beauty, intelligence, and ecological importance of wolves, as well as to confront the persecution they continue to face. We are thrilled to announce the addition of Kiely Smith as our new State Advocacy Manager. Kiely’s leadership will be pivotal in expanding our state-based advocacy efforts, amplifying our combined voices, and ensuring that local policies reflect our commitment to coexistence and science-based, ethical wildlife policy. In addition, our team recently engaged in a series of deeply engaging conversations to identify our core values. These values are truly the foundation of who and what Project Coyote is, what we believe in, and how we approach the work we do. It has been inspiring to witness the passion and intention our team has poured into the creation of these value statements and our revised logo. We hope you are equally inspired. Together, with your ongoing support and our growing expertise, we are empowered to create real change. Thank you for standing with us and with North America's wild carnivores. ???? Read The Fall Edition of The Coyote Chronicles: https://lnkd.in/e-e_ZVsS ?? Stephanie Becker, #CaptureCoexistence Contributor | https://lnkd.in/e_PKJQ3W

?? MYTH: Animals don't feel emotions. ?? FACT: Research shows that many animals exhibit a range of emotions. Anyone who has spent time with or around domestic or wild animals can attest to the notion that animals experience emotions. Whether it’s the affectionate purrs of a lap cat, the enthusiastic wag of a dog’s tail upon your arrival home, or the howls of a coyote or wolf family coming together at the end of the day, these behaviors reflect a rich emotional landscape. Unsurprisingly, research supports this understanding, revealing that animals, too, have complex emotional lives and exhibit a range of emotional responses akin to those observed in humans. (The University of West Alabama, 2019) This spectrum of emotions can include joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even embarrassment! (The Emotional Lives of Animals (Revised) 2024) Many animals—particularly, though not exclusively, mammals—share these emotions with us, given that we both possess similar brain structures located in the limbic system, which is responsible for our emotional experiences. According to Project Coyote Science Advisory Board Member Marc Bekoff, "In many ways, human emotions are the gifts of our animal ancestors." (The Emotional Lives of Animals (Revised) 2024) Animal emotions should not be misconstrued as anthropomorphism, which is the attribution of human traits and emotions to non-human entities. While emotions are rooted in observable behaviors and physiological responses, anthropomorphism often involves projecting human-like thoughts and feelings onto animals without a scientific basis. Acknowledging these emotional capacities in wildlife deepens our understanding of their lives and reinforces the importance of treating them with respect and compassion. #Mythbusting #CompassionateCoexistence #ProjectCoyote #AnimalEmotions