Becoming Wolf: The Eastern Coyote in New England
An eastern coyote is defined as much by its western coyote ancestry as by its DNA
contribution from the Eastern wolf. “Our” coyotes vary physically and
behaviorally from its smaller relative – while still carrying the incredible
adaptability and canniness of Wile E. Coyote. This program takes a deep dive into
the ecology and behavior of this creature, its indefatigability and how it is the
human who must adapt to live with the ‘One Who Cannot Be Removed’.
On the horizon, however, is a native carnivore which 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.
About
Christine Schadler (pronounced Shaydler)
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 and broaden public input into wildlife decision-
making. She currently Chairs the Webster Conservation Commission
and is a member of the Northeast Wolf Recovery Alliance.
Chris taught Wolf Ecology, Conservation and Dendrology at UNH.
Since the 1970s, coexisting with the eastern coyote was put into practice
on her sheep farms where no lethal measures and no predation occurred,
ever. She is the NH & VT Rep for Project Coyote and Co-Founder of
the NH Wildlife Coalition, which advocates for better conservation for
predators.
Chris holds a Masters in Conservation Biology and offers 40 years of
research and specialization in wild canids, particularly the Eastern Wolf
and the Eastern Coyote. Now retired from teaching Conservation,
Dendrology and Wolf Ecology at UNH and Conservation at Granite
State College, she provides education and presentations throughout New
England.