Scarlet’s Second Chance: A Coyote Pup’s Journey to Safety
By Karin Saucedo
In late June, I was driving back from transporting a coyote pup to a long-term wildlife rehabilitator when I received an urgent text about another displaced coyote pup. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has seen rapid population growth recently, with urban sprawl turning natural landscapes into residential, commercial, and industrial areas. As green spaces disappear and wildlife corridors are cut off, animals like coyotes, foxes, and bobcats are increasingly pushed into urban environments, leading to more frequent human-wildlife conflicts. I often encounter injured or displaced animals struggling to adapt to these changes. Habitat loss, combined with threats like traffic, poisoning, pollution, and human interference, puts constant pressure on wildlife. As a wildlife photographer, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of this urbanization. Wanting to do more, I obtained a sub-permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to rehabilitate wildlife in the state of Texas. My main goal was to be able to rescue and transport wild coyotes, foxes and bobcats when the need arose.
Soon, I realized there were not many wildlife rehabilitators in my area who were willing to care for these animals because of the time and expense required. We ended up taking in a couple of coyote patients last year who needed immediate triage care, however, we are not equipped for long-term rehabilitation. My husband and I have a background in animal care and rescue with over a decade of experience with exotic big cats at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue, a verified GFAS organization, where we are senior volunteers. In-Sync set the bar high for standards and quality of care, and we’ve carried those principles with us, focusing on immediate triage while deferring long-term rehabilitation to those best equipped. The transition to caring for native wildlife was a natural one. This year our wildlife patient intake number increased significantly. My husband and I had just decided we couldn’t take in any more wildlife patients due to our limited bandwidth and resources, so I directed the finder to another wildlife rehabber, even though my trip home would take me right by the coyote’s location.
Unfortunately, the other rehabber was unable to help because she had no way to transport at the time, so with no other options available, we decided to take the coyote in.
The tiny pup, barely distinguishable from the shadows in the kennel, had been found scarfing down cat food left out for stray animals. Initially mistaken for a chihuahua, the finders soon realized this was no ordinary stray. They named the coyote Rusty. When I met them in a shopping center parking lot, Rusty was being transported in the back of a pickup truck in 100° heat. They seemed oblivious to any sensory overload or shock the coyote might have experienced during the transport, but they were kind and generously provided a donation for the pup’s care.
The moment I looked into the coyote’s sunken, glassy eyes, my heart melted, and I knew I had made the right decision. Rusty, who we renamed Scarlet when we determined she was female, had likely been without her mom for several weeks and was surviving on cat food and handouts from her compassionate finders. Feeding coyotes and other wildlife can encourage coyotes’ association of humans with food sources, potentially leading to problematic interactions. We recommend never feeding wildlife, but rather contacting a permitted rehabber if you find an injured or orphaned animal.
Reuniting Scarlet with her family wasn’t an option. The neighboring property where she was found is a night hunting outfitter, making it likely her mother had been killed. Scarlet’s tiny five-pound body was covered in wounds, insect bites, and a hookworm infestation. She was extremely weak, anemic, dehydrated, and covered in ticks and fleas. The crate she was delivered in was filthy, filled with feces, flies, and roaches. She would not have survived much longer without intervention.
I’ll never forget the look on Scarlet’s face when we got her settled into a clean enclosure where she could decompress. She wasn’t like the other coyote pups. She gazed at us with curiosity and was far more tolerant of our presence than any wild intake we’d had at that age. Her personality shined through immediately.
Scarlet was given lots of fluids and was treated for internal and external parasites. She received good nutrition and plenty of rest. We keep the triage area as quiet as possible and at a comfortable climate. We had one other coyote pup patient we were caring for at the time, so we had to keep Scarlet quarantined initially until our vet cleared the two to be introduced. Coyotes are highly social animals, and in most cases, they truly thrive in a wildlife rehab setting when they have companions to play with and learn from. Forming strong bonds is crucial for their survival after release.
Not surprisingly, Scarlet spent the first three days mostly resting. She was finally able to relax and let the healing process begin. We use surveillance cameras to monitor our wild patients, minimizing stress and avoiding unnecessary human interaction. This allows us to observe their behavior without causing habituation. After release, any habituation can lead to human conflict, which can be fatal for coyotes. The first few days of every intake are the most difficult for me. I lose sleep as I watch the camera at all hours of the night just to make sure critical patients are still breathing. After a few days, Scarlet’s activity began to increase, and we knew she must have been feeling better. We observed her playing with the pinecones we gave her for enrichment. Enrichment is important for any captive animal to keep them stimulated and can sometimes provide comfort while reducing stress.
After a while, Scarlet turned the corner despite all the traumatic events she had endured. It’s amazing how quickly she recovered. She began to put on some weight and absorb all the nutrients from a proper diet. Her wounds began to heal, and her personality started coming out more and more.
We’re so fortunate to have a vet who can do home visits, and after running some tests on both pups, we got the green light to introduce them to each other! We started slowly and let them see and smell each other through a fence panel, then eventually opened them up to each other while supervising with our surveillance cameras. Scarlet was more outgoing but half the size of Lilly, the other pup in our care. Lilly was submissive and scared of everything. In their first interactions, Scarlett initiated the contact. She always tried to make herself look much bigger by walking around with raised hackles and baring her teeth, all while trying to lay down and cuddle next to her new friend. She so desperately wanted companionship with another of her own species. I cried with tears of joy and laughter when I saw this behavior. We know that juveniles who come into our care must be missing their mother’s nurturing and the companionship of their siblings so much. This made my heart happy.
Scarlet spent most of the day eating, playing or trying to destroy things in her enclosure, while Lilly huddled in the furthest corner. Then one night, Lilly started to come out of her shell. We saw footage of the two of them playing together and chasing each other around the enclosure. They even played tug of war. We also noticed that Scarlet was becoming more wary of us. They do this when they begin to feel better, but we also think Lilly might have had some influence. The two were so great for each other and strengthened their bonds each night they played together.
Over the next couple of days, Scarlett and Lilly continued to play, tussle and lay next to each other. As coyote pups grow and develop during rehab, they need increasingly more room and privacy to explore and develop the skills necessary for survival in the wild. We knew it was time for the girls to move on to the next level of care, a longer-term rehab with more land where they could continue to grow, bond and prepare for eventual rerelease. There are no wildlife hospitals in the Dallas area, so most wildlife patients spend time recovering in the homes of rehabbers who specialize in certain species. These rehabbers volunteer their time, often at their own expense, to care for wildlife. Thankfully, a nearby seasoned rehabber with land was available to take Scarlet and Lilly.
The time had come to transition Scarlet and Lily to their next step in the rehab process and we knew after dropping them off, our home pack of 3 dogs and a cat would finally get back to normal. The day before transport, the vet came to the house to do a final checkup and one last blood draw. As the vet was leaving, we received a call from an animal control officer about another emaciated displaced pup with corneal abrasions and a flea and tick infestation. The vet kindly agreed to wait for the ACO to arrive with the new patient, and after examination, we began the process all over again. Normalcy in the household would have to wait.
Scarlet’s story is a testament to the incredible resilience of coyotes. Despite the odds stacked against her, she fought to survive, displaying the tenacity and adaptability these misunderstood animals are known for. I’m especially thankful for Scarlet’s compassionate finders, and all the others who step forward to help wildlife in need. Without them, orphaned, injured or displaced wildlife would not have a chance. I’m also thankful for veterinarians who are willing to see wildlife, animal control officers, rescuers, and rehabbers who contribute to this team effort, and I’m honored to play a small part.
Over the last several months, I’ve started serving as the Texas State Coordinator at Project Coyote. In this role, I’m working to help expand the organization’s work of promoting compassionate coexistence with wild carnivores throughout Texas. I’m thrilled to bring this crucial coexistence work to my home state and be a voice for wild ones like Scarlet and all misunderstood Texas carnivores. If Scarlet’s story moved you, please consider supporting Project Coyote. Whether through donating, signing up for our e-team, or sharing Scarlet’s story, every action helps protect these misunderstood animals and promote compassionate coexistence.
Karin Saucedo is the Texas State Coordinator for Project Coyote, a Texas Master Naturalist, an Advisory Committee Member for Texas Native Cats, and a published wildlife conservation photographer. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she is especially passionate about wild canids and felids and uses her images to give wildlife a voice. For over a decade, Karin has been involved in animal rescue, rehabilitation, outreach and advocacy. She spends a lot of her time studying animal behavior remotely through camera traps. Karin’s images have been used to educate communities about coexisting with urban wildlife, document wild canid field research and create awareness about the problems with exotic animal ownership.