So far this mix has been successful. John Collette, general curator, credits the success to the size of the exhibit yard. Also, DPZ's black bears are both female which alleviates the stresses of breeding and raising young. For example, another zoo with black bears and coyotes in the same exhibit experienced difficulties with this combination because their bears were a breeding pair, and the coyotes attacked the bear cubs. The decision to exhibit coyotes at Dickerson Park Zoo was based on the opportunity to educate the public about Missouri animals.
Wild coyotes run in packs and adapt well to living near humans.
In Missouri, the wild population has been increasing since 1970 and is now the most plentiful wild canine in the state. Some of this success is attributed to their opportunistic nature. For example, they can adapt their diet to fit the available food. The combination of black bears and coyotes into one exhibit yard makes this exhibit more interesting for zoo visitors by stimulating interaction between the animals that in the wild would also share territory.