Coyotes Deserving of Species Protection ?

One would think most people would say no, and in particular those in agricultural or livestock areas. But coyotes do help immensely with rodent and varmint control, and they provide a vital link in the balance of the prairie ecosystem. But these animals do present a nuisance and more to those in the livestock business in many places, and there are isolated reports of where the creatures do harass or marginally attack humans. Overall, they are probably not in enough peril to be included as an endangered species. The only way they could be come endangered were if wolves were allowed to regain their entire historical range and be in competition with coyotes for food, and that will never happen.

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11795740

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