UW Urban Canid Project
Have you seen a fox or coyote in your own yard? You’re in the right place.
The UW Urban Canid Project (UWUCP) is studying red foxes and coyotes in Madison, WI. The project aims to investigate the way canids are living in Madison and how we can coexist with these wild neighbors.
Concerned about wild canids in your yard?
Coyote and fox sightings in urban areas are increasing. More interaction can lead to more questions about why they are here and what they are up to. Click below to learn more about the research being conducted here in in Madison, Wisconsin!
Seen a fox or coyote in Madison?
The UW Urban Canid Project relies on residents of Madison to report sightings of foxes and coyotes around town to help researchers see where coyotes and foxes are and direct research efforts to these areas.
Interested in getting involved in research?
Are you interested in citizen science? The UW Urban Canid Project has several opportunities for Madison residents to get involved, sometimes right in their own backyards. Click below to find out how to get involved!
Want to know more about fox and coyotes?
Check out our page all about fox and coyote ecology, from their habitats to their life cycles to their reproductive strategies. The Urban Canid Project is your resource for canid ecology!
Report a canid sighting
The UW Urban Canid Project is using iNaturalist to monitor fox and coyote sightings around Madison, WI. Click here to get started with iNaturalist!
iNaturalist will prompt you to create a free account. You will then use the simple online map and datasheet to show where you saw the animal, and enter information about your encounter. You can even upload pictures of the animal if you are able to snap one! Your observations will help us to see “hotspots” for fox/coyote encounters and identify potential areas to radio-collar new animals.
Coexisting with canids
One of the goals of the UW Urban Canid Project is to learn more about urban coyote and fox ecology to be able to proactively manage for peaceful coexistence. With the right knowledge, living with wild urban canids can be safe, enjoyable, and rewarding. While conflict with coyotes and foxes is a real possibility, it is largely avoidable. Check out our tips to make your yard safer when living with these wild neighbors.
David Drake, PhD
Meet the principal investigator of the UW Urban Canid Project!
Dr. David Drake is a professor and Extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research and Extension programs primarily focus on wildlife and wildlife damage management in human-dominated landscapes. David also teaches an undergraduate course on wildlife damage management. David received his PhD in forestry from North Carolina State University, an MS degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University, and a BA degree in biology from Macalester College.
Want to support the project?
The UW Urban Canid Project is always seeking to improve the quality of the research being conducted here in Madison. From new tracking technology to funding additional technicians, the project needs your generous support!
In the news
Learning lessons by following Madison’s foxes and coyotes
Kelly April Tyrell, University of Wisconsin-Madison News
What urban carnivores can teach us about coexistence
Jaymi Heimbuch, Mother Nature Network
Researchers putting radio collars on coyotes, foxes on UW-Madison campus
Paul Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Social media helps wildlife researchers track Madison’s urban foxes and coyotes
Jordan S. Gaines, The Capital Times
Researchers track foxes, coyotes on UW-Madison’s campus
Abigail Becker, Wisconsin State Journal
Contact the researchers at ddrake2@wisc.edu.
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