Thanks to the Project Wildlife program from the San Diego Humane Society, four tiny, orphaned coyote pups will be rehabilitated and released once they are able to fend for themselves.
It was on Wednesday that the nearly newborns had been discovered under the deck of a home in Pacific Beach. Because the team is not able to release the pups to their original location or to reunite them with their parents, the pups will be raised in captivity until they are old enough to be released.
While this situation is unfortunate, it serves as a valuable reminder that the best place for baby wildlife is with their parent(s)! Often, the absence of a parent doesn’t mean the baby has been abandoned. If you find a litter of wild animals, it’s crucial to leave them undisturbed while giving the parents time to return
During the spring, coyotes give birth to their litters in quiet places where they are assumed safe by their mothers. The pups are only in the den for three to four weeks before they begin to venture out and explore their surroundings. If the parents feel threatened, they will relocate their pups, and usually do so in the cover of the night.
Coyotes generally stay away from humans, however leaving trash or food out attracts them. To keep wildlife out of your yard, residents are urged to keep all food and water indoors and keep all trash stored in well sealed containers.
If you encounter a coyote, yell and waive your arms, make lots of noise with pots and pans or an air horn to shoo them safely away.
There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to coexist with wildlife. After all, it has been the elimination of their natural habitats for homes, parks, shopping centers and schools that have resulted in their population decrease.
For more information about humane ways to prevent unwanted guests from entering your home and yard, visit sdhumane.org/coexist.
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