After days of calls from concerned residents, the Durham County Sheriff's Office on Monday located and rescued an injured coyote with a plastic bottle on its nose.
Calls were made to animal services over several days about a coyote in distress in the Parkwood area in south Durham County.
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By the time deputies responded, the coyote was gone.
“Calls started to come in a few days ago,” said Animal Services Captain Mark Manning. “Residents of the area kept seeing the animal, which appeared to be in distress because of a plastic bottle or jar on its head. With the object covering its mouth, it was clear it had been unable to eat or drink for some time.”
On Monday afternoon, deputies were able to use a "catch pole" to capture the animal near Grandale Drive and remove the plastic jar from its head. Video of the capture was posted to YouTube.
The animal, which did not appear to be injured, was released back into the wild.
People who see an animal in distress should not approach it. You could do permanent harm to the animal or be injured yourself if you attempt to render aid.
Call local authorities or North Carolina Wildlife’s Helpline at 866-318-2401 (business hours) or the Wildlife Enforcement Division at 800-662-7137 (nights and weekends).
WRAL News has a guide to what to do if you encounter an animal in the wild that appears to need help or is injured, including dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, raccoons, coyotes, deer, snakes and more.