General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Coyote Pack Chases Puppy into Home, Smashes Door [View all]Larkspur
(12,804 posts)Wolves are coyotes natural enemy. I live in CT and the last known wolf in the state was killed by Revolutionary warn hero Israel Putnam in the Pomfret area by in the 18th century years before that war. No wolf has been officially spotted in CT that I know of.
Prior to the white man's settlement of the West, wolves ate coyotes and kept the latter's territory in the Southwest USA. After ranchers and farmers decimated the wolf population, the natural check on coyote roaming and breeding was removed and the coyotes have been expanding their territory since.
If coyotes are cross breeding, it's most likely with feral dogs than wolves.
And the pack of coyotes in this news story was in the midst of prime hunting time. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if they were starving or at least one had rabies.