Drowning Coyote Rescued From San Francisco Bay

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Fire officials rescued a coyote from a San Francisco marina on Friday after worried onlookers reported that the canine had fallen into the icy water and was possibly drowning.

The coyote, named "Phoenix" by its rescuers, was released back into the wild after recovering at a veterinary clinic, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.

On Friday, crews were "summoned by many bystanders viewing a coyote drowning" after it was reportedly seen running toward Marina Green before it fell in the water, authorities said.

Paramedics from the department's marine unit used a Jet Ski to reach the animal, tied a rope around its neck to keep its head above water and lifted it safely onto a dock.

Paramedics treated the wild dog for severe hypothermia and "near-drowning."

2/2 our MARINE units to rescue it. Our Paramedics provided care for severe hypothermia and near-drowning and helped @SFACC transport it to a veterinary care center. It is our understanding that the coyote, named by crews as “phoenix”, will be okay. pic.twitter.com/VYw3W9imTn
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 27, 2021

"It is our understanding that the coyote, named by crews as 'Phoenix,' will be okay," department officials tweeted.

San Francisco Animal Care and Control spokesperson Deb Campbell said early Sunday morning that veterinary staff treated the coyote and released it back into the wild.

"Coyotes are big chickens and docile when captured, but don't try this at home," Campbell said. "Big kudos to the SFFD for fishing the coyote out of the Bay and providing immediate care!"

The incident is not the first time a coyote has been plucked from the chilling waters of the San Francisco Bay, Campbell said.

"We've rescued coyotes from all sorts of predicaments -- from a dry cleaning shop, backyards and garages, from a ledge at Moscone Center, from behind a planter in the financial district," Campbell said. "They manage to get themselves into some unusual places."

Bay City News contributed to this report.