In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the University of California Santa Cruz have documented coyotes hunting harbor seal pups along MacKerricher State Beach in Mendocino County, marking the first scientific evidence of such behavior.
The remarkable footage, captured during the spring seal pupping seasons of 2023 and 2024, shows multiple instances of coyotes preying on baby seals approximately 3.5 miles north of Fort Bragg. Using motion-triggered cameras, researchers recorded three separate occasions where coyotes dragged seal pups from the beach before consuming them.
Led by Ph.D. student Frankie Gerraty, the research team's findings were published in the journal Ecology this month. The investigation began after scientists, including Sarah Grimes from the Noyo Center for Marine Science, noticed a pattern of seal pup carcasses appearing in the same location over nearly a decade.
The research team discovered more than 50 seal pup remains in the area, all showing similar patterns of predation. The coyotes exhibited a distinct hunting behavior, typically removing the seal pups' heads to access their brains.
"I had a hunch it was coyotes," said Gerraty, who specializes in studying terrestrial wildlife that consume marine prey. "We know that coyotes are very adaptable."
While the coastal area is home to various predators including bears, bobcats, and mountain lions, researchers were able to identify coyotes as the hunters through tracks and droppings found near the predation sites.
This discovery highlights the remarkable adaptability of coyotes and their ability to exploit new food sources in coastal environments, adding a new chapter to our understanding of predator-prey relationships in marine-terrestrial ecosystems.