In the beautiful city of San Diego, a tale of survival and compassion recently unfolded that captured the hearts of many.
The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) received an urgent and rather unusual call from a Good Samaritan.
This call came in the wake of an extraordinary weather event, as Southern California had just experienced a series of intense rainstorms.
The aftermath was severe, with flooding across the region and piles of debris clogging waterways, creating hazardous conditions for local wildlife.
Amidst this backdrop of natural chaos, a surprising and distressing discovery was made in the Tijuana River Valley.
A vigilant individual spotted an animal, desperately struggling to stay afloat amidst a sea of trash and debris.
The image was heartbreaking. “[O]ur Humane Law Enforcement team was called… in response to what appeared to be a dog floating with a bucket stuck on his head,” SDHS shared in a detailed Facebook post, illustrating the grave situation.
Responding with urgency and determination, SDHS’ officers immediately set out to rescue the animal.
Arriving at the river, they were confronted with a scene of environmental distress: garbage strewn around, and amidst it all, the helpless creature.
His identity was obscured due to a plastic bucket covering his face, making it difficult for the team to identify him.
But their mission was clear – to rescue and provide aid, regardless of who the animal was.
“Due to the difficult terrain, the only way to reach the animal was by boat,” SDHS wrote in their post, highlighting the challenges they faced.
They added a note of gratitude, “San Diego lifeguards helped our Humane officers reach the animal!”
The rescue was a tense affair, filled with anticipation.
Upon reaching the animal, the team was taken aback by what they found.
Contrary to their initial assumption, the animal in distress was not a dog.
“[He] turned out not to be a dog, but a coyote!” SDHS wrote, sharing their surprise in the discovery.
The team then shifted gears to accommodate the unique needs of this wild animal.
Carefully, they wrapped a towel around the coyote, providing both warmth and security, before gently lifting him out of the cold, murky water.
The coyote was quickly transported to the Bahde Wildlife Center, where a dedicated team of veterinarians was ready to attend to him.
Upon arrival, the vet team immediately set to work, assessing his condition and starting treatment to alleviate his pain and discomfort.
The coyote’s condition was a concern.
“He was wet, suffering from mild hypothermia, had cactus spines stuck in his fur and wounds that needed attention,” SDHS described the state of the coyote upon arrival.
They detailed the care he received: wounds were treated, fluids were administered, and pain medication was given.
It was the beginning of a hopeful journey toward recovery, although there was still a long way to go.
As the coyote stabilized, he was transferred to the Ramona Wildlife Center for further care.
This center provided a more serene environment, crucial for the coyote’s recovery.
Here, in the safety of a comfortable kennel, he could rest and continue healing away from the stresses of his recent ordeal.
Remarkably, the coyote’s health improved rapidly in the following days.
His resilience was evident as he quickly regained strength, proving the success of the care and treatment he had received.
Soon, he was deemed strong enough to return to his natural habitat, a testament to both his survival instincts and the dedicated efforts of the SDHS team.
The final leg of the coyote’s journey was a triumphant return to the wild.
The SDHS team carefully prepared him for release, ensuring he was ready to thrive in his natural environment.
They transported him to a carefully selected, safe wooded area.
The moment his crate was placed on the ground, the coyote wasted no time.
He burst through the opening and darted into the woods, disappearing into his home territory.
To watch the animal’s incredible rescue, hit play on the video below.
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