Donna Ralph, Ellicott Wildlife Rehab. Center

This year for the first time coyote pups came to rehab at EWRC. They were victims of fires and tornadoes, found orphaned and alone after disaster struck. Typically the coyotes that come here for rehab are injured adults that might need veterinary care and time to recover from their injuries before being released back where they came from. Their care in rehab at EWRC is pretty much hands-off and stress-free, with as little human contact as possible.

Coyote pups have entirely different needs than mature coyotes and properly raising them from pups into properly-socialized, mentally healthy animals that will succeed in the wild was quite a challenge! With a lot of help and advice from a good friend and canine/wolf/coyote expert, Sue Cranston, I believe we succeeded in doing just that. Proper formulas and diets aside, medical care and treatment as necessary, our biggest challenge was raising pups without taming or imprinting them while giving them the care they needed, as all puppies do, to learn and grow, and develop properly. Fortunately several pups came to rehab in the approximate time period, size and age, and were raised together for proper socialization to coyotes, NOT people! The coyotes were released and from all accounts have joined the resident wild coyote groups.

Over the years people have asked us why we "waste" our time and resources on these canines that most people consider nuisances at the very least. My response has always been that I'm not the one who put them on the planet and it's not my place to decide who has the right to exist and who doesn't. Whether majestic eagles or timid mice, cottontails or coyotes, wildlife that comes to rehab here is always given the best possible care; we don't discriminate!

As habitat is lost all around us, particularly in our area, I think most of us notice the problems all wildlife is having, not just coyotes. Fortunately the coyote, a mammal found throughout most of the United States and Canada, is pretty adaptable. From fields and forests and urban areas, to cities and deserts and mountains, the coyote, a mammal that mates for life, is part of the wolf and domestic dog family, and has had to learn to adapt to survive. In Colorado the hapless coyote has been the unfortunate target of eradication efforts dating as far back as 1915.

Coyotes consume plant material as well as prey food items; mainly rodents, rabbits, and squirrels, and they benefit us by helping control the rodent population. These canids help clean up the environment by eating carrion. Coyotes are generally more afraid of us than we are of them, and coyote attacks on humans are rare. However, in areas where people and coyotes coexist, coyotes might lose some of their fear of humans. A sick, injured, and/or frightened coyote will likely defend itself and as is the case with wildlife encountered by people, it is best to leave the animal alone and call a professional for help. Remember that it is illegal in Colorado to keep wildlife without proper permits.

Protecting your pets in coyote territory is the responsible thing to do. Coyotes will attack cats and dogs; it's what they do as predators that need to eat. Also remember that wild animals, including coyotes, can carry disease and parasites that can be brought home with your pets. For a number of reasons allowing your pet to run around loose, especially at night and/or unsupervised, isn't good for the animal or anyone else, and remember that coyotes (and other predators) won't necessarily be deterred by an 8-foot fence. Coyotes are good diggers, climbers, and jumpers. You can do the wildlife and your community a favor by removing the very things that attract "nuisance" wildlife to your area in the first place. Keep the pet food inside with the pets. Don't put pet food out for wildlife, other than birds. Keep your garbage tightly covered and don't put it out until trash day. Protect your pets!

We believe that each and every living creature makes a very important contribution to the balance of our natural environment and ecosystem, and that removing one creature because it's a nuisance for us ultimately creates more problems than solutions. Each of us can make a difference in helping our wildlife and protecting our environment.

www.ellicottwildlife.com

P.O. Box 75069

Colorado Springs, CO. 80970