|
Post by wildman on Jun 17, 2010 11:23:53 GMT -5
Just got a call from one of my Animal control people. His workers captured an eight-week old coyote pup in a downtown area. He called me asking what to do, since Missus and I have rehabilitated critters, in addition to trapping others (cue music: The Circle of Life). I was dast if I would put him in touch with a bunny-cuddler; we also have a mild concern with disease. Still, pup is healthy, albeit hungry, and unnecessarily destroying a furbearer irritates me. Thankfully, we are not licensed, so legally I can't take the critter in. What would y'all do? Have any ideas? Wildlife commission is trying to help find a carnivore rehabber, but they are apparently few and far between, if at all. Plenty who do small animals -- possum, squirrel, coon, birds-- there are even DEER rehabbers, of all things. But carnivores? Zilch, thus far. Key in, fellers. I'd like to hear your opinions.
|
|
|
Post by HiLLbiLLyTraPPer on Jun 17, 2010 11:39:51 GMT -5
I know you aint on my end of the state but I would call the wnc nature center. They have some coyotes now and are working on a big habitat display. I go watch them sometime in the morning and evenings to watch their habits and all...just a thought, they may take it in.
|
|
|
Post by wildman on Jun 17, 2010 11:55:00 GMT -5
Hillybilly, thanks, friend. I'll look them up right now. We have a couple of little zoos in our area, but they are already coyote-heavy, and the reason they do such a good job with critters is that they can say "no." Good side of all this: the incident has REALLY opened up some trapping territory for me. Quoth the expatriated Yankee city dweller, "WE CAN'T have coyotes in TOWN! It's not natural! Can you catch them? I'll pay you!"
|
|
|
Post by rye on Jun 17, 2010 13:54:40 GMT -5
Make him fertilizer....
|
|
|
Post by bmlutra on Jun 17, 2010 16:28:03 GMT -5
Every life has value, but I can't see rehabin a coyote, who nobody wants more of.
|
|
|
Post by g3trappernc on Jun 17, 2010 17:09:42 GMT -5
Greensboro Museum of Natural Science may take him, not sure.
|
|
|
Post by HiLLbiLLyTraPPer on Jun 17, 2010 23:34:29 GMT -5
Every life does have value, and I can see where people would wanna just do away with it...but this could be an opportunity to learn more about them and education of the animals we trap is everything that keeps us going. We should take every chance we can to learn even the smallest thing about the animals we trap because in turn this makes us better trappers all around. If the WNC Nature center does decide to take it let me know, I will get my info to them...we may find something out that helps us all.
|
|
|
Post by rye on Jun 18, 2010 6:59:14 GMT -5
Every life has value I agree, however that cute young puppy is still a COYOTE. It will cause the same problems as any other coyote!
|
|
|
Post by wildman on Jun 18, 2010 10:14:56 GMT -5
Dilemma solved. AC guy called me to say they put the pup down. Bad sarcoptic mange. Plus the law supposedly said due to rabies concerns, it had to be killed. Am perusing the live sale law and state wild animal laws today, comparing. Might make an interesting debate...why is it required to kill a pup, yet we can live-sell coyotes and foxes (which are FAR worse for rabies). I'm afraid I tended toward erring on the side of caution--like Rye said, that cute widdle puppy was still a varmint. Intriguing possibilities for study, though. Thanks for the input, guys.
|
|
|
Post by rye on Jun 20, 2010 13:00:51 GMT -5
People get emotional about "puppies" regardless of the fact that it's still a coyote.
|
|
|
Post by nccoyote on Jun 22, 2010 15:22:53 GMT -5
Dilemma solved. AC guy called me to say they put the pup down. Bad sarcoptic mange. Plus the law supposedly said due to rabies concerns, it had to be killed. Am perusing the live sale law and state wild animal laws today, comparing. Might make an interesting debate...why is it required to kill a pup, yet we can live-sell coyotes and foxes (which are FAR worse for rabies). I'm afraid I tended toward erring on the side of caution--like Rye said, that cute widdle puppy was still a varmint. Intriguing possibilities for study, though. Thanks for the input, guys. The fact that we can sell them alive but it is illegal to rehabilitate them is an issue probably best left alone!
|
|
|
Post by wildman on Jun 22, 2010 17:05:33 GMT -5
Hey, there are some beaver swamps even I won't enter, and some topics I won't tackle as a writer. Might bear thinkin' about (privately). Bright side: Animal Control guy wants some educating.
|
|