San Diego Humane Society relocates 2 orphaned coyotes to Virginia

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Two orphaned coyote pups who were under the care of the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center have been relocated to their new home on the East Coast.

The first pup, a female, was only two days old when she was found and presumed abandoned under a deck in Palm Desert, the humane society stated in a news release. She was bottle-fed for two weeks by her rescuer until she was brought to the humane society in April.

The second pup, a male, was rescued from the Long Beach area in May and arrived to the humane society with his eyes still closed. He, too, required bottle feeding until he was large enough to be with the other coyotes.

Both coyotes were cared for by the Project Wildlife team at SDHS's Ramona campus until staff determined they could not safely return to the wild.

According to the humane society, both animals had become too imprinted on humans despite the team's effort to house them with other coyotes and limit their contact with people.

When wild animals lose their natural fear of humans, they are unable to safely survive in the wild, the humane society said in its news release.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife determined the two coyotes should be placed at the Virginia Living Museum to ensure they would have lifelong care in a safe environment while helping educate the public about wildlife.

On Sept. 30, the Project Wildlife team drove the pups to Los Angeles International Airport where an escort accompanied the coyotes on a FedEx flight to Virginia.

The humane society reminds the public that the best way to help wildlife is to leave them where they are found and request professional help.