Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” We believe this ethical compass transcends nations to individuals and private organizations.
Judging by this, the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) deserves a merit award for its efforts in rescuing a coyote on January 22. The coyote, which was discovered in a flooded field in the Tijuana River Valley, had a bucket stuck on his head.
The San Diego Humane Society became aware of the situation via a call about a “dog floating in debris with a bucket stuck on its head.” Officials immediately sprung into action and arrived at the scene, which is almost 16 miles south of the city. They then discovered that there was no other way to reach the animal except by boat.
Giving up wasn’t an option for them. So, they enlisted the help of San Diego lifeguards to get across to the stranded animal. Instead of a dog, they saw a juvenile male coyote.
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“A coyote who was found in a flooded field with a bucket stuck on his head is now recovering at our Ramona Wildlife Center! Our Humane Law Enforcement team was called to the flooded Tijuana River Valley in response to what appeared to be a dog floating in debris,” the Society wrote in an X post.
After rescuing the coyote, they saw that the soaked animal had hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature due to prolonged cold exposure. He also “had cactus spines stuck in his fur and wounds that needed care.” So, they transported him to the Bahde Wildlife Center for urgent medical assistance.
His treatment included pain relief and vital sedatives. The veterinarians were also able to remove the bucket from the coyote’s head skillfully. The medical personnel then examined him further and took his X-rays.
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He was later transferred to the Romona Wildlife Center owned by the SDHS for specialists in apex predator care to rehabilitate him. The SDHS, in its X post, revealed its intention to return the rescued animal to the wild. “We are hopeful this juvenile coyote will be able to recover and return to the wild soon,” its statement read.
The coyote was likely trapped because of the flash floods that swept through the city after torrential rain. According to reports, the flash floods also damaged infrastructure and covered the roads, leaving residents and wildlife in the area distressed. For these reasons, California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, had to declare a state of emergency in San Diego County.
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In other news, an unsuspecting homeowner found a coyote a few months before the SDHS discovered this juvenile coyote. The homeowner saw it taking a nap on outdoor furniture. In a statement by the Animal Care & Control San Francisco (SFACC), they wrote that one of their officers “encouraged this sleepy coyote couch potato to move along and find a more coyote-appropriate (but less comfy) place to sleep.”
The Red Cross promptly opened a school and recreational center to provide shelter for individuals stranded due to the flooding. They have also collaborated with the SDHS to ensure animals have a temporary shelter.
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