Monday, February 3, 2014

Cry Wolf? No, Coywolf!

A week and a half ago, PBS ran a documentary about the coyote/wolf hybrids that have populated the Northeast. Just over a year ago, I had a rather comical run-in with one of the beasts on the job. I finally got an opportunity to watch Meet the Coywolf (link for Canadian readers).

Personally, I love these critters, they are handsome beasts, and merely having them around in the precincts of one of the world's largest cities is a testimony to their adaptability. Being a few miles north of Manhattan and hearing a chorus of them singing in the wee hours of the morning is stirring... a little taste of the great wilderness in the world's most urban environment.

Also, after watching it, how could I not want one of those pups?

6 comments:

Syrbal/Labrys said...

Interesting. The video kept freezing on image while the audio went forward; but mostly it made me curious as they talked in some cases about "urban coyotes"…WERE they really hybrids or simply coyotes? It was a bit blurred at some points; and that does a disservice to all. Coyotes are shy and generally non-threatening to people; but folks watching the scary bit about the coywolves COULD now walk away with a need to shoot at ANY coyote looking thing out of fear. Not one of PBS Nature's better presentations.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

For some raisin, I misread this as "Meet the Goy Wolf."

ittdgy™³²®©, LLC apologizes for the era.
~

Big Bad Bald Bastard said...

Interesting. The video kept freezing on image while the audio went forward; but mostly it made me curious as they talked in some cases about "urban coyotes"…WERE they really hybrids or simply coyotes?

The coyotes in the East have interbred with Canadian wolves and domestic dogs, they are significantly larger than their western ancestors. Dr Jason Munshi-South of Baruch College and City University of New York has stated that they are best described as "Northeastern wild canids". Coyotes have now established themselves in New York City, with a couple even making it to Manhattan. I have had a couple of close encounters with them, but none of them have been aggressive. I think that anyone who'd shoot one because it's a "coywolf" is the sort of person who'd shoot a coyote anyway.

For some raisin, I misread this as "Meet the Goy Wolf."

Hilarious! I'm sure they'd eat pork.

Syrbal/Labrys said...

Now, my mental image is the coywolf hanging behind a McDonalds…awaiting tossed McRib Sandwiches...

M. Bouffant said...

Hee hee, re-reading your May last yr. item I see you really did what I was joshing about when one of our littler ones crossed my path last month.

And you may not have seen this telly advert, which may be revelant [sic].

Big Bad Bald Bastard said...

Now, my mental image is the coywolf hanging behind a McDonalds…awaiting tossed McRib Sandwiches...

A few years back, a young male black bear wandered down from upstate and a kid working at a pizzeria found it eating out of a dumpster.

Hee hee, re-reading your May last yr. item I see you really did what I was joshing about when one of our littler ones crossed my path last month.

I totally wanted to scratch it behind the ears.

And you may not have seen this telly advert, which may be revelant [sic].

A family friend once got really drunk and did the same thing with a skunk.