The area around San Diego in southern California is hit by heavy rainfall.
The water in the Tijuana River rises quickly and carries all kinds of floating debris with it. Amidst the floating debris, a pedestrian spots a movement.
An animal is stuck and desperately fighting for survival.
Is it a dog?
The pedestrian immediately contacts the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS). When a rescue team arrives, the people have difficulty getting to the animal.
It can only be reached by crossing the river. So a boat is organised to help the animal.
It looks like a dog with its head stuck in a small plastic bucket.
At the vet
When the SDHS staff reach the animal and gently pull it out of the water, they are astonished. It’s not a dog, but a coyote.
The poor chap is not in good condition. So the animal rescuers load him into their van and take him to a vet at the Bahde Wildlife Centre.
Down with the bucket
Here, the coyote is first sedated so that the bucket can be removed from his head and he can then be examined more closely.
It suffers from hypothermia, has sustained several injuries and is full of cactus spines.
However, the coyote’s life is not in danger. Once the initial medical treatment has been completed, it is transferred to the Rama Wildlife Centre.
Back to freedom
Here the coyote can recover in peace and quiet and regain its strength. It only takes a few days for his health to improve significantly.
Now he is fit to return to the wild. The staff at the wildlife centre take him to a wooded area where he is in no danger.
They watch with great joy as the coyote runs enthusiastically back into the wild where he belongs.
You can watch the video of the coyote’s rescue story on the San Diego Humane Society Facebook channel.
Source: The Dodo
