If you live in Tacoma and have been using any sort of social media this year, you’ve seen the images of a coyote missing its snout. It’s equal parts shocking and incredible that this coyote has been able to endure for months, seemingly able to eat and drink despite its condition. Many have expressed their horror at the sight; some have called for action to either help the wild animal or end its perceived misery. Feeling responsible or compelled to act is a normal feeling. No one wants to see an animal suffer, outdoorspersons like myself included. However, when an animal like the coyote seen around Tacoma clearly cannot be rehabilitated, it does not help to capture the animal to cause it stress only to have it euthanized.
Being part of the environment does not mean intervening whenever an animal is sick or injured; rather, it is about stewarding populations and their habitats so that they can live without direct involvement from humans to thrive. This is one of the tenets of the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation, championed in large part by hunters and anglers over 100 years ago. If the coyote population were in danger of extirpation or extinction, then I too would be calling for capturing the animal in hopes of extending its life to benefit the broader population. But the coyote population is not at risk; in fact, it’s quite robust. Thus, when I read a local person had captured the creature in hopes of getting it veterinary care I was shocked.
First, state law may prohibit such activities (e.g., harassing wildlife, trapping wildlife without a license and tag, etc.). Second, because coyotes fear humans the trapped animal was inflicted with a high level of terror brought on by a well-intentioned person who apparently had been following the animal, cornered it and then trapped it for two days with no benefit whatsoever. What would happen had she been successful in bringing the coyote to a veterinarian? The vet would not be able to fix the injury, so the only option then would be to euthanize the animal. I have spoken to several folks who have said the animal should be euthanized. But why? Is it not surviving? Is it causing harm to other coyotes? To people? If it is not causing harm, why would we kill it just to dump the carcass in the landfill?
As an outdoorsman, I believe this is unnecessary because the animal is surviving without direct intervention, and simply euthanizing the animal represents a waste of a living creature without any tangible benefit to the community. In general, healthy wildlife populations do not require saving. Only in rare instances where a population is at risk (e.g., the California condor) should humans intervene. Living as part of the environment does not mean we have the right to step in to make nature work the way some of us wish it would.
Nature is not the Bambi-verse; it is a place where wildlife lives and dies every day. A place to steward, yes, but not to mold into a faux reality that aligns with our sensibilities. Still, this is not an outright condemnation of the do-gooder’s actions. Yes, she is in the wrong. But, there is a lesson in all this: We must all be better stewards of the environment and learn to live with all aspects of it. When it comes to protecting wildlife from anthropogenic harm, learn how to secure your home and pets around animals such as coyotes. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has a webpage dedicated to just that.
Meanwhile, do not follow or harass wildlife. You’re putting yourself and wild animals at risk when you do, no matter how many likes or views you’d get with a great shot for your Instagram or TikTok followers. And finally, drive a little slower, especially at night. Thousands of deer and elk are struck in our state every year — not to mention the coyotes, squirrels, raccoons, and other species common to urban areas — so taking greater care when driving could save hundreds of animals around Tacoma and Pierce County every year. Wildlife are not pets, nor are they a real-world representation of a Disney character. Sometimes they are stunning in their flawlessness; other times shocking for their abnormality. Local wildlife — like Tacoma — demonstrate grit, resilience and beauty.
For Tacoma’s famous coyote, I hope it can continue to demonstrate these characteristics for many years.
Source: The News Tribune
