Portsmouth coyotes tracked with GPS

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) - A Portsmouth biologist is using GPS technology to study and track the growing coyote population on Aquidneck Island.

Dr. Numi Mitchell has placed GPS collars on at least 21 coyotes over the last five years, and has been keeping tabs on their movements.  She says there are at least ten packs of coyotes on Aquidneck Island alone.

Her research is providing a better understanding of why there has been an increase in coyote activity in suburban neighborhoods like Burrows Heights in Portsmouth.

"We found out why there are so many coyotes in neighborhoods is because they eat in these neighborhoods, and that's because people are leaving out food."

Dr. Mitchell tells Eyewitness News that adult coyotes likely enter residential areas in search of food for their young.

"This is when the parents are very intensely hunting for them."

She recommends Portsmouth residents keep a close eye on their pets, and  not leave food out for them.

"You have to remember not to feed your pets outside.  A safe cat is an indoor cat.  And little animals, less than 30 pounds are really at risk."

The next step in Dr. Mitchell's research is to study the density of the Aquidneck Island coyote packs, and determine an exact count.