Coyote Trapped in Car Bumper Returns to the Wild
A senior, female coyote who was rescued from the bumper of a car, is back in the wild where she belongs. The coyote spent 18 days at our Ramona Wildlife Center receiving treatment for shock and a severely injured paw pad. Project Wildlife’s medical team treated her with fluids, pain medication and kept her under close observation as she recovered.
It was on Nov. 1, 2021, when our Humane Law Enforcement was dispatched to rescue an animal lodged in the bumper of a car in a San Marcos parking lot. Humane Officers recognized the need for medical backup and called our veterinary team to the scene to assist and monitor the well-being of the animal as she was cut out from inside the fender.
The person who hit the coyote did not realize that she was stuck in his bumper and was inside a Ralphs grocery store shopping when another shopper noted a "dog" in the bumper and called for help. The car’s owner was alerted to the situation when he came out of the Ralphs.
Upon intake at our Ramona Wildlife Center, the coyote could stand and walk. The veterinary team performed multiple exams and extensive radiographs to ensure there were no fractures and no internal bleeding. The coyote’s teeth revealed her age as a senior. “She was actually in wonderful condition before being hit by the car,” said Christine Barton, director of operations & wildlife rehabilitation at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Campus. “Her coat and weight are exactly what we want to see in wild animals. We are so happy she recovered quickly and could be returned to her natural habitat.”
The coyote was released in the late afternoon of Nov. 18, 2021, in a nearby San Marcos Parks & Recreation Department location, not far from the San Marcos parking lot where she was found. The Humane Officers and medical team who rescued the coyote were also present, to witness their patient’s return to the wild.
Published: November 18, 2021
