This week, volunteers from WILD Florida Rescue (WFR) received a concerning report from a Good Samaritan about an animal clearly in distress. The caller informed them that they’d seen a young coyote roaming near a wooded area with a plastic object completely
encasing her head.
Every passing minute put the young coyote at greater risk. And action would need to be taken quickly to save her life.
“These emergency calls are an important reason why WFR exists,” Wild Florida Rescue wrote. “This coyote pup's time was running out. That was very clear, and if she got back into the woods, she most likely would have perished there.”
Rescuers raced to the scene.
The coyote was already making her way toward dense woods when rescuers reached her. Acting quickly, they netted her before she disappeared, then carefully worked to free the container from her head, cutting a small air hole into the plastic while they loosened its grip
It was an empty laundry detergent container that had nearly claimed her life.
Concerned that she could be dehydrated or suffering from unseen injuries, rescuers transported the coyote to WFR president and licensed wildlife rehabilitator Dale Craig, whose wife, Dr. Donna Craig, evaluated her.
“The pup was dehydrated but very healthy,” WFR wrote. “It was determined that the pup hadn't been in there that many days, but because of the lack of oxygen, it became a dangerous situation quickly.”
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
“[The coyote] was given the necessary care and the poor girl was returned right back to the woods to meet her mum!” WFR wrote. “We adore her but certainly hope that’s the last any of us see of her!”
Thanks to the tireless work of WFR rescuers, the coyote’s life was saved.
WFR credits all involved in the rescue for giving the coyote her second chance — including the Good Samaritan whose call had come through just in time.
“Coyotes' lives matter too,” WFR wrote. “And if you have ever looked into a pup’s eyes, you know just how hard it is not to love them!“
