A fugitive coyote that was captured in Detroit early last week was released Monday night after living at a Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-licensed animal rehabilitation facility here in Oxford Township.
The Michigan Humane Society contacted Oxford resident Holly Hadac about placing the female coyote in her care instead of euthanizing the wild animal per city policy.
Hadac released the 30-pound animal into northeast Oakland County because the coyote was pregnant and needed time to create a den for her pups.
She couldn’t say exactly where the coyote was dropped off because Hadac and the Humane Society wanted ‘it to be private for her.?
Wildlife specialists at the Howell Nature Center told Hadac that was the best thing to do for the animal.
On Hadac’s property, the coyote was kept in a six-sided chain-link pen.
Inside of the pen, Hadac created a makeshift den out of straw bales so the coyote would feel safe.
According to the DNR’s website, coyotes are found throughout the state and frequently wander into urban areas. A coyote was even spotted in the Oxford Lakes subdivision in July 2005.
Though they ‘rarely? attack humans, it is important for humans not to feed them because they can ‘become accustomed to people and present a human safety risk,? according to the website.
When releasing animals into the wild, Hadac always makes sure not to put too much of the same species in one area so she doesn’t deplete the food supply.
‘I always have to be cognizant of the fact that Mother Nature does a fine job balancing what is out there,? she said.
She has friends with large acreage in Lapeer and Oakland County where she releases the animals she rehabilitates.
Hadac, who served 27 years as an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy until she retired last year, began working with wild animals in 1996.
She helped other rehabilitation facilities release animals into the wild until just three years ago, when she got a permit through the state to operate a rehabilitation facility.
She helps rehabilitate injured and orphaned wild animals, like raccoons, squirrels, possums, rabbits, muskrats, coyotes and fawns.
‘I think that working with wildlife and actually touching wild animals is a God-given privilege that few people get to do.?
If anyone were to stumble upon any wildlife mentioned above, Hadac said it’s important to know the DNR’s website (www.michigan.gov/dnr) has numerous numbers for people like her who can help.
She also said it’s important for people to know the difference from an orphaned baby animal, which is very rare, and an animal who is meant to be on it’s own, like a fawn. ‘If they think they’ve found an orphaned animal, they can always call a rehabilitator for advice,? she said.