Injured coyote rescued in Palm Springs seized by CA Fish & Wildlife
Luis Avila
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A young female coyote named Athena, who was recovering after surviving a hit-and-run, is now in the custody of California Fish and Wildlife.
Athena had been under the care of El Paseo Animal Hospital, where she underwent surgery to amputate her front right leg. But Dr. David Jeffrey, the veterinarian who treated Athena, worries the transfer may not be enough to guarantee her safety.
“It really depends on who is assessing them and what volume they’re seeing. A lot of these places are overwhelmed with injured coyotes, injured wildlife, so a lot of tough decisions have to be made and they don’t have the facilities to care for an animal like Athena, who’s in between.”
Dr. David Jeffrey, El Paseo Animal Hospital
Although three-legged coyotes can often survive in the wild, Athena was deemed non-releasable because she showed signs of socialization with humans.
Dr. Jeffrey said he had been working with Imagine Jungle Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Big Bear, to find Athena a permanent home. But efforts stalled due to red tape.
“Zoos can’t accept an animal from me, a veterinarian… There’s a lot of legality about zoos accepting them from places that aren’t licensed rehabilitation facilities. There’s a good reason for that red tape and process.”
Dr. David Jeffrey, El Paseo Animal Hospital
California Fish & Wildlife has not yet responded to News Channel 3’s request for comment but an officer off-camera said they’re following state regulations and plan to move her to a licensed wildlife rehab facility.
Jeffrey remains hopeful Athena will be given a second chance.
Stay with New Channel 3 for more.