Plan to Save Cliff the Coyote Hits Setbacks

NEWPORT, RI—Cliff the coyote outsmarted a sharpshooter aiming to tranquilize him on Wednesday, according to Newport City Councilor John Florez.

The sharpshooter was from the state Department of Environmental Management, which had been involved in the effort relocate Cliff to a zoo.

With this latest setback, Florez said, options for Cliff may be running out. He is doubtful the DEM now will make another attempt to tranquilize the coyote.

But Gail Mastrati, DEM spokeswoman, said the state is still in it to win it.

"As the only lawful authority to authorize re-location of the coyote," she said, "DEM continues to work with partners on a final plan for the animal. The Department is interested in finding a resolution to the matter and providing for a reasonable alternative location for the coyote."

"The public's heart has gone out to this animal," Florez said, adding that the situation is challenging.

According to Florez, two nearby zoos mentioned as possible refuges for the 18-month old animal do not want to take him.

But "it's still a fluid situation," Florez said and added efforts are continuing to save Cliff. Given the fact this animal's been tranquilized before, when Mitchell fitted him with a tracking collar, the consensus is, Cliff could be successfully captured within the next three days.

But so far, there's no suitable place for him to go, and it would not be feasible to keep him in a small enclosure for any longer than a couple of hours, Florez said.

Photo courtesy: Tracy Donovan O'Malley