Badlands National Park Conducting Coyote Study

Park wildlife biologists have initiated a study of the coyote population in Badlands National Park. The objectives of the study are to estimate the population size, determine the rates of reproduction, survival, dispersal and to determine home range of coyotes residing inside the park. Blood samples are collected from each coyote for disease analysis. Coyotes are being live-trapped and fitted with GPS radio collars. The radio collars have the words "LOTEK MAGNET" written on them as well as contact information for the park. A numbered, green ear tag is also attached to the coyote to identify individuals.

Since many home ranges of coyotes extend outside the park boundaries, there is the possibility that some of the coyotes the park is tracking may be legally harvested according to South Dakota regulations. If a sportsman harvests one of the radio-collared or ear-tagged coyotes, please report this to Greg Schroeder, (605) 433-5269, or Doug Albertson (605) 433-5268 so we can make arrangements to retrieve the radio collar. The radio collars will be refurbished and used again. If the coyote only has an ear tag, please provide us with the general location and date of the harvest. We do not need the ear tag returned.