One of the young coyote pups brought into the San Diego Humane Society.Photo:San Diego Humane Society/Facebook
San Diego Humane Society/Facebook
The San Diego Humane Society is caring for four young coyote pups found under the deck of a family’s home.
“Because our Project Wildlife team is unable to release the pups to their original location or to reunite them with their parents, these pups will need to be raised in captivity until they are old enough to be released into the wild,” the San Diego Humane Society added on social media.
The nonprofit used the coyote pups' arrival as an opportunity to remind animal lovers of the best way to handle wildlife encounters.
A San Diego Humane Society staff member examining a coyote pup.San Diego Humane Society/Facebook
The San Diego Humane Society clarified that in the case of the four coyote pups who just arrived, it believes the family who brought them in “made the best decision possible under the circumstances.” According to the shelter’s Facebook post, the location of the coyote’s den — underneath the deck of the family’s home — presented “significant challenges” for the animals and the humans involved.
In circumstances where encounters with wild animals, especially newborn critters, aren’t so precarious, the shelter recommends giving animals space.
A coyote pup removed from a den under the deck of a California home.San Diego Humane Society/Facebook
The shelter also noted that coyotes often avoid humans, but the aromas of trash, pet food, and compost can attract coyotes to more populated areas. The San Diego Humane Society recommends people in areas with coyotes keep “all food and water indoors” and trash “in high-quality containers with tight-fitting lids.”
“If you encounter a coyote, using hazing techniques (such as yelling and waving your arms, making noise with pots and pans, or using a whistle or air horn) can effectively discourage their presence,” the nonprofit recommended, adding, “By using proactive measures and understanding the natural behaviors of coyotes, we can coexist with our wild friends while safeguarding both their welfare and ours.”
The four coyote pups under the San Diego Humane Society’s care will be transferred to the Ramona Wildlife Center, “where they will grow until they are healthy enough to be released back to the wild,” according to the organization.
A San Diego Humane Society staff member weighing a coyote pup.San Diego Humane Society/Facebook
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The San Diego Humane Society ended its Facebook post with a message to animal lovers concerned about the mother of the coyote pups.
“We recognize that community members are concerned about the welfare of the mother coyote,” the humane society wrote. “We have consulted with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) as they are the agency with the authority to manage wildlife. They have advised us that reuniting the family or relocating the mother are not viable options. While we understand the community’s concern, this healthy adult coyote will likely mate again soon and have another litter of pups to care for. If you have concerns about the coyote or would like to report sightings, please contact CDFW through their online form athttps://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir.”
source: people.com
