Yutu and his brother Batu were part of a litter of seven coyotes rescued and taken to a wildlife rehabber North of Tampa (FL). Shy Wolf Sanctuary was contacted about the need for rescue of these pups because they cannot legally be re-released in the state of Florida due to the fact that Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission considers them (like most states) to be “nuisance” animals. They are not native to the state and thus, receive none of the protections FWC offers other animals like the Red Cockaded Woodpecker and the Alligator.

Despite being heavily socialized once they arrived, this pair really only bonded to a couple of volunteers. When those volunteers enter their area, the boys get really excited, running to greet them and rolling all over them. Wariness and distrust are typical traits for coyotes in the wild, but we were hoping the captive raised boys would consider becoming ambassadors. Since that didn’t transpire, and they began picking on a third male coyote we’d rescued, Miwok, we had to separate them with Girly.

Coyotes, Canis latrans, don’t live in packs like wolves. They generally live alone or in pairs, with their families dispersing much sooner than wolf packs. Pups can be on their own at a year old even. They are very adaptable and have even ridden subways in New York City! We helped relocate one that had made his way across Jolly Bridge to Marco Island a few years back. The wolf was their main predator in the wild.