Contraception has gone to the coyotes (Canis latrans)

Area of Science:

• Wildlife management
• Reproductive biology
• Veterinary medicine

Background:

• Coyotes (Canis latrans) pose a significant threat to livestock, with current lethal control methods proving ineffective for sustainable management.
• Reproductive control in coyotes could mitigate livestock depredation, contingent on maintaining territory fidelity by breeding pairs.
• Surgical sterilization is effective but presents field implementation challenges; thus, chemical contraception is being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term contraceptive efficacy of a single high-dose treatment of sustained-release deslorelin in male coyotes.
• To evaluate deslorelin as a potential non-transferable chemical contraceptive for coyote population management.

Main Methods:

• Male coyotes received a single subcutaneous injection of 47 mg deslorelin.
• The study monitored the suppression of the reproductive axis, indicated by sperm presence/absence.

Main Results:

• Preliminary data indicate complete suppression of the reproductive axis in treated male coyotes.
• This suppression was sustained for over 12 months, evidenced by the complete absence of sperm.

Conclusions:

• A single high-dose deslorelin treatment demonstrates long-term contraceptive potential in male coyotes.
• Deslorelin offers a promising alternative to lethal control methods for managing coyote populations and reducing livestock predation.