Orphaned Coyote Pup From San Diego County Begins New Life As Wildlife Ambassador

SAN DIEGO, CA — An orphaned coyote pup rescued in San Diego County is settling into a new home across the country, where she will help educate the public about native wildlife.

The female pup, nicknamed "Valentine's Day coyote," or "Val," arrived Feb. 14 at the San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife program after being found alone near a creek in Valley Center. According to the organization, a community member initially left the animal overnight in hopes her mother would return, but brought the pup in for care when she did not.

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Wildlife officials said the pup's case was unusual because she was likely born in late December, outside the typical coyote breeding season of January through March.

Staff at the organization's Ramona Wildlife Center provided hands-off care to prevent the animal from becoming accustomed to humans. Caregivers wore disguises and natural scents while the pup transitioned from formula to solid food.

"We did everything we could to give this pup a chance to remain wild," said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at San Diego Humane Society. "We even revisited the site where she came from with the finder to look for evidence of a den or siblings, but found nothing."

Ultimately, after a consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, it was determined Val would not be able to survive on her own in the wild. The organizations decided to transfer her to a licensed wildlife facility, where she would serve as an ambassador for her species.

Welch flew across the country with Val on April 8 to her new home at the Robins Nature Center in Maymont, Virginia, where she is being introduced to another coyote named Bernie. The pair will eventually live together in the center's newly renovated Virginia Wildlife Trail.

"Val will play an important role in helping people better understand coyotes and how to peacefully coexist with wildlife," Welch said. "While we always strive to return animals to the wild, in cases like this, providing a high-quality permanent home is the best possible outcome."