Florida deputies help rescue coyote stuck in car bumper

Coyote survives collision with car

A coyote is recovering in Southwest Florida after being hit by a car and getting stuck in its bumper. FOX 13?s Kimberly Kuizon reports.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - A coyote is recovering after getting hit by a car and getting stuck in the bumper, leading to its rescue with the help of some deputies and the Wildlife Rescue of Southwest Florida in Port Charlotte.

What we know:

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded last Thursday to a call about an animal stuck in the front portion of a car's bumper.

Deputies responded to the intersection of Tamiami Trail and Cochran Boulevard in Port Charlotte. 

Deputies contacted Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida Rescue and Transport, who helped get the coyote out and evaluate the animal for injuries.

Officials say the coyote, who they appropriately named Wile E., suffered two broken legs – one fracture in its front leg and another in its back leg – but is expected to fully recover.

"No roadrunners were located in the area," CCSO wrote in a social media post.

What they're saying:

Rescuers at the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida thought they had seen it all until the call. 

"It’s again super lucky that the coyote ended up in the position that he did after being struck by a vehicle," said Pamela DeFouw, the executive director for the center. 

She said the deputy and rescuer worked together to get the coyote out safely and bring him in for treatment.

"Coyotes are just wildly mistaken. A lot of times people think they are aggressive, they will go up and attack. They are some of the easier, more docile animals to hold," said DeFouw.

"We were able to repair and treat him so our fingers crossed after the six to eight weeks, we will see where we are at to see about upgrading him to our outside, right now. He’s currently in our triage of course antibiotics, pain medicine, supportive care so we can monitor him closely," said DeFouw. 

The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida is thankful to Charlotte County deputies for calling and giving him a second chance to live. 

"It’s unique in a sense that I would be really curious how he got into the grill but the amazing thing is I don’t know how far he drove being in the grill. I would consider him very very lucky because he was able to be rescued," she said. 

What you can do:

The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida said the goal is to release the coyote back into the wild, but it will take time. If you’d like to help out with the coyote’s care or the other animals, the non-profit does have an Amazon wishlist. 

To learn more, click here.