Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network sees Increasing Number of Coyote Pups Brought In For care

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It’s not unusual for the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network to be busy during the is time of year.

But some of the patients coming in are unexpected.

"This year we have some interesting animals in care including coyote pups … we don’t normally see multiple pups at once," said executive director Ariana Katovich of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

The wildlife center team generally treats maybe one or two coyote pups every couple of years.

But so far this year, they have received more than half a dozen coyotes brought to the center.

"We have gotten eight coyote puppies … we normally don’t get any coyote. Puppies will get older juveniles and adults brought in into care and we are hearing from other centers that they’re also at capacity for coyote puppies. There’s a few that are looking for a center to go to," said director of rehabilitation Brittany Rickman of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

Wildlife experts are not sure why they’re receiving so many coyote pups this year. 

They will rely on survey and biologist reports to give more insight when they are available. 

"I think it’s hard to know, but we do know that you know something has happened to the mother and the kits were orphaned and so now they’re in our care and getting getting what they need to live a wildlife," said Katovich.

Right now, the wildlife center is looking to possibly create a larger enclosure for coyotes and other larger mammals. 

"Hoping that we’re gonna get them to a nice big outside enclosure soon they are. They are a handful, but it’s great to see them here and see them doing well," said Rickman.

The wildlife center team encourages the community to call their hotline number for help if you see a coyote in distress.

For information on how you can help the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, visit: https://www.sbwcn.org/.