Becoming Wolf: The Eastern Coyote in New England

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.  This program is sponsored by Protect Our Wildlife (https://www.protectourwildlifevt.org/).

About Christine Schadler, presenter:

Chris’ interest in wild canids began in the 1970s as a volunteer at Wolf Park in Battleground, Indiana. This opportunity and others inspired an eventual Masters in Conservation Biology at Antioch University in Keene. Her thesis focused on the Natural Recovery of the Eastern Timber Wolf in Michigan. Chris lived in Michigan and Minnesota during the early 1980s where her research into the gray wolf continued and her speaking career began.

Beginning in the early 1990s, Chris taught Forestry, Wolf Ecology and Environmental Conservation in the Natural Resources Department at UNH. She also instructed and mentored adult degree candidates in the UNH System at Granite State College.

While wolf recovery was the focus of her early work, Chris’ attention shifted to the Eastern Coyote when she and her flock of sheep moved to New England. She is now the NH and VT Representative for Project Coyote, a national organization promoting coexistence with coyotes. Chris (with John Harrigan) co-founded the NH Wildlife Coalition which aims to defend predators. She currently Chairs the Webster Conservation Commission and is a member of the Northeast Wolf Recovery Alliance.