Episode 402: Predators
Humans have long had a complicated relationship with native wild carnivores, often with attempts to actively eliminate these animals, leaving behind ecosystems in dire need of that natural control mechanism. With the absence of large apex predators, smaller mesopredators, such as bobcats, foxes, and coyotes, have begun to fill that ecological role. And with certain recovered carnivores moving back into their historic ranges, predator management is a highly contentious issue, now more than ever. Finding a way to coexist with these species is essential, not only for human safety and animal welfare but also for habitat and ecosystem health.
In This Episode
A special thanks to all of our special guests in this episode of Untamed!
- Dr. Marcella Kelly, Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech
- Mike Fies, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Dr. Michelle Lute, Project Coyote
- Leo and Aaron Tammi, Shamoka Run Farm
- Waldo, Guard Dog
Learn More
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Learn more about Dr. Marcella Kelly's research and publications on carnivores, including research at Virginia Tech which seeks to understand interactions between predators and White-tailed Deer.
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Need help with a wildlife conflict issue? Call Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource's Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003.
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Interested in learning more about "America's songdog", the coyote? Check out a previous Wildlife Center Book Club selection, Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History by Dan Flores. Attend a webinar with Project Coyote and learn more about being a part of a coyote-friendly community.
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Be informed about important issues -- like what impact coyotes have on Virginia's deer, and the problem with killing contests and bounties. Read more about effective means of predator control -- like what Waldo does at Shamoka Run Farm!
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each Untamed episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from Untamed.
Are you using these materials and resources in your classroom? We are eager to hear from you! Please let us know, so we can share your classroom projects and experiences with other teachers. Contact us at edu@wildlifecenter.org.
Here's What You Can Do
Each episode of Untamed leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Looking for more information? Email us at wildlife@wildlifecenter.org