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- Scout attempts a return again
I’ve been able to keep track of our territorially-displaced coyote, Scout, for the last four months as she kept herself out of the way and inconspicuous for the most part in various neighborhoods throughout the center of the city. And then, during the last several weeks she appeared in none of those places and I lost track of her.
So it was overwhelmingly heartwarming to hear from my friends that she had been spotted in her old territory the morning of June 26th: she’s alive and kicking and has not, apparently, given up hope of returning to her old home: what a trooper! And a brave one at that since she might have been risking her life! I was sent images, and indeed it was her: she was there, off-and-on, during a five hour interval that morning where, I’m told, she could be seen repeatedly yawning, I’m sure out of anxiety. I myself was only able to catch trail cam images of her before dawn that day as she headed toward her old hill (see above), and then again as she headed away that evening.
Wired making sure Scout stays away
By that evening, Wired — the radio-collared coyote who won the territory in a battle in February — had picked up her scent and was already on her trail. When Scout sensed her presence she was compelled to leave the area. The next day I caught images of her at one of her nearby hideouts where she hadn’t been in almost a month. Then, Wired, too, was seen checking out that same area (see images directly below): she is still hotly pursuing Scout. And now, again, I have lost track of Scout. Wired is back and remains in charge of what is now HER hill where she can be spotted sporadically.
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- Scout passing by an old hideout of hers
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- Wired pursues Scout at that same hideout
The infrared photos show that Scout has several new sores on her underside and legs which she did not have before. Are these due to malnutrition, bugs, infections, being repelled by other coyotes, or simply wear and tear from life? Let’s hope this is just part and parcel of normal coyote nomad existence. Coyotes are very resilient, as this coyote has already shown us, so we can hope whatever is going on resolves itself quickly.
So Wired remains the territorial empress of what had belonged to Scout, and Scout remains the territorial-less roving nomad and vagrant, eeking out a living in-between territories claimed by other coyotes who keep her at bay. That is the part that’s heartrending.
Wired: the reigning alpha coyote
Coyote Yipps 
Jun 30, 2019 @ 17:42:24
May the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas guide protect and bless her in the Bardo of this life and the Bardo to come…Om Mani Padme Hum…Dont worry girl the Buddhas and their infinite Love are with you always.Be Careful and enjoy life
Jul 01, 2019 @ 08:35:44
Oh I feel so sorry for Scout, she doesn’t have a mate or family and it all sounds so lonely for her.. I agree with you, that’s the part which is so heartbreaking, and being pushed out of her home..
Also I do hope she is ok, as you’ve mentioned sores.. I’ll look forward to your next posts … Thanks so much Janet..
Hilary 😊
Jul 01, 2019 @ 09:22:29
Hi Hilary —
Yes, her situation now feels sooooo precarious, whereas before her “fall” she had been so solid and secure, and she had even acquired a magical friendship for a time. This intense change is what makes it so hard for those of us who care for her. :((
Jul 01, 2019 @ 19:03:44
Hi Janet.. yes it’s so sad to see her all alone now. I do hope things improve for her.. that she’s finds a home and a mate to support her… fingers crossed for her..
Thanks Janet
Hilary 😊
Jul 02, 2019 @ 02:17:11
Forgive me if you’ve said previously … was Scout just challenged by a younger outside female and was forced to leave? Does the alpha male not intervene to protect his mate?
Jul 02, 2019 @ 04:48:58
Hi Linda — All we know for sure is that the intruder was over two years old per Jonathan at the Presidio who looked at her teeth to estimate her age. I think she is even older than this. Certainly she’s much more mature and worldly than Scout, and a more solidly built coyote. Scout was a loner. She had a “friend” who was a male, but this was not a mate. If these two would have bonded as a pair, yes, he probably would have helped repulse the intruder, but he was not tied either to Scout or the territory.
Jul 02, 2019 @ 20:02:42
This is fascinating. I’m always learning.
Jul 02, 2019 @ 20:09:42
:)) So am I! Janet
Jul 04, 2019 @ 15:52:47
Miss her and of course worry about her. My grand daughter, who is eleven named her Bernie for Bernal Hill. We met her one evening just the two of us going for a walk on the Hill.We will never forget it .I just wish her health and safety.
Jul 06, 2019 @ 12:39:30
Hi Jeannie —
If SHE only knew how much she was missed — it would do her good, wouldn’t it? Almost everyone had a name for her, and SEVERAL people called her Bernie, which was an intuitive name for her. The name I use is the one we gave her as a pup before she even came to the hill.
Jul 06, 2019 @ 15:25:54
You knew of her before??Where did she come from??And how old was she?
Jul 06, 2019 @ 18:44:43
Hi Jeannie — I don’t reveal locations — this is to protect the coyotes that still live there. She was 9 months old in January, 2016 when she dispersed.
Jul 06, 2019 @ 21:44:02
Oh ok. Thank you.