Coyote's Plastic Jar Predicament Ends with Rescue

Durham County Sheriff's Office Animal Services deputies rescued a coyote with its head trapped in a plastic jar after several days of concern from residents. The obstruction prevented the animal from eating or drinking.

Reports of the distressed coyote began surfacing in the Parkwood area of southern Durham County, prompting deputies to search the neighborhood multiple times without success. On the afternoon of November 18th, a resident on Grandale Drive spotted the coyote again, enabling deputies to locate and safely restrain it using a catch pole, then remove the clear plastic jar from its head. 

Photo Credit: Jennifer Uppendahl/ Wix Stock

Body camera footage captured the rescue, showing the deputies' careful efforts to free the animal. After confirming the coyote was uninjured, they released it back into the wild. Sheriff Clarence Birkhead praised the deputies in a press release posted on the Durham County Government County website, stating, "These Animal Services deputies used their training and compassion to create a positive outcome for this animal and the members of the community concerned about its fate."

The coyote's harrowing ordeal emphasizes the detrimental effects of human waste on animals. Discarded containers can unintentionally trap animals, leading to suffocation, dehydration, or starvation. Conservationists recommend rinsing and cutting plastic containers before throwing them away. Additionally, using trash bins that prevent wildlife access and participating in community clean-up events can further protect animals from the dangers of waste pollution.