ABOUT THE UW URBAN CANID PROJECT
HOW IT STARTED
The UW Urban Canid Project (UWUCP) began with a pilot study in January 2014. After coyotes were routinely seen on the western part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and a family of red foxes was observed living under a campus building, questions surrounding the new neighbors prompted Dr. David Drake to investigate why they were here.
BACKGROUND
Urban areas have recently been shown to provide ample resources to support fox and coyote populations, but questions still remain.
What exactly are they eating?
Where are they spending their time?
Are they dangerous?
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Extension Wildlife Specialist and professor in the department of forest and wildlife ecology, Dr. David Drake, along with an undergraduate student studying wildlife ecology, set out to radio-collar two foxes and two coyotes in January 2014.
After a successful trapping season and continued public interest in the prospective research, Dr. Drake brought on a graduate student to further expand the research and trapping continues seasonally today!
photo by WI DNR
GET INVOLVED
Citizen involvement is crucial to this research. Canids interact with humans on a daily basis, most often without ever being noticed. The UWUCP involves citizens and students living in Madison in almost all aspects of the research from trapping to data collection.
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We rely on individuals (citizens) reporting coyote or fox sightings, donating, and volunteering.
Want to find out how you can help?