Coyote Stranded Near US Coast Guard Buffalo Site Rescued by SPCA Officers, Released 12-23-23

December 26, 2023
By: SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca, [phone], ext. 211

How does the SPCA Serving Erie County respond when the Department of Environmental Conservation calls about a coyote stranded on a log near the US Coast Guard’s Fuhrmann Blvd. station? With a resounding “Be right there,” of course.

That’s exactly what happened Friday, Dec. 22 when the SPCA’s Wildlife Department received the call about a stranded coyote seen swimming, then stranded and shivering on a log.

Shortly after receiving the call, SPCA Chief Lindsey Wood and Officer Melina Homsi, along with Agents Molly McLaughlin and Meghan Giles, headed out to the docks with the appropriate level of rescue equipment and determination necessary to get the job done.

Upon arrival, the team noticed the soaking coyote’s evident exhaustion. US Coast Guard Metalsmith Petty Officer 1st Class Taylor Foran told Wood via text that the coyote was in the water and/or stranded at least three hours, but probably longer, and said the coyote was violently shivering and was so exhausted from swimming when first seen that she couldn't lift her head.

On December 23, officers released the now warm and fed coyote to a safe, wooded area at Wilkeson Pointe not far from where she was located.