These photos were taken in the Presidio of San Francisco on February 19th by EEHelton and posted in iNaturalist. The Presidio is the only place in San Francisco where tagging is done. This is an obvious example of an infected ear caused by tags. I know this female coyote who was perfectly fine only a month before these photos were taken — an infection can occur long after the tags are initially inserted. Human intervention of any kind causes the greatest harm to these animals. Human desire for information should never trump the the well-being of the animals themselves. Please, let’s leave the animals alone. What we want to know can be gleaned from simple observations.
Click on the images to enlarge and scroll through them.
I have already written extensively about Detrimental Effects of Radio-Collaring and tagging. Click on this link to read more.
Correspondence Update:
I wrote this to the ecologist who put on the tags: “I posted photos of Purple/Purple’s infected ear on my blog, and now I’ve received a torrent of emails asking 1) if she’s okay, 2) when was she attended to, 3) what was done about the infection. Could you please let me know these things so that I may pass this information on? Janet”
His response: “Unfortunately there is nothing that I can do unless she comes back into the Presidio and even then, the chances of being able to capture her is next to impossible. If for whatever reason ACC captured her (which wouldn’t happen) I’m sure they would tend to her injury.”
I wrote back: “Thanks for your prompt reply. This is beyond upsetting: I was absolutely sure you were on top of this and had fixed it by now. It’s been a full month since those photos were taken — she must be in horrible pain. You put those gadgets on the animal, and having done so, you are responsible for the harm those gadgets are causing, and now it’s really up to you to fix the harm. You are the only person, having radio-collared her, who can find her and re-capture her. It would be cruel for you not to do so ASAP. Who do you need “permission” from to do anything? Please let me know. Janet”
His response: “You’re right. We will do everything we can to capture her and treat her ear. I will reach out to ACC to see if there is any way they can help outside of the Presidio.”
I wrote back: “I heard back from ACC: they “have no plans to capture and treat any coyotes: their policy is not to interfere with wildlife” (which I generally agree with) unless it becomes incapacitated.”
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SO, NOTHING WAS DONE. I spoke to my wildlife veterinarian who said that after a month, the wound could have healed. I finally found this coyote: she’s been hunting and moving around and able to take care of herself, but I haven’t been close enough to assess her ear. If I’m able to do that, I’ll update this post.
Coyote Yipps 
Mar 08, 2020 @ 01:28:36
When the tagging is the cause of an infection, one would think there would be an obligation by whoever caused it, to medically remedy the condition/situation.
Mar 08, 2020 @ 05:41:34
I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT
Mar 08, 2020 @ 12:41:22
As I responded in another comment, I think the point is that, no matter how much the “researchers/scientists” try, these cases slip through the cracks with resulting injury and pain to the animals, in addition to the everyday interference these gadgets cause on their wearers. It’s best simply NOT to interfere like this in the first place (by tagging or radio-collaring).
Mar 08, 2020 @ 11:11:05
Whoever did this should take responsibility and see to they are medically treated. These animals cannot speak for themselves. People are so cruel. Anything with a brain has feeling.
Mar 08, 2020 @ 12:37:46
Hi Lynn — I think the point is that, no matter how much the “researchers/scientists” try, these cases slip through the cracks with resulting injury and pain to the animals, in addition to the everyday interference these gadgets cause on their wearers. It’s best simply NOT to interfere like this in the first place (by tagging or radio-collaring).
Mar 12, 2020 @ 02:01:50
I strongly agree with the author here. Humans continue to assert their dominance over other animal as though they’ve no part of empathy. How many ‘casualties’ are acceptable to those running these programs as they rationalize the torment for the information they believe they want. Are those installing these wares aware of the negative outcomes? Thank you for what you are doing to help ensure this is known.
Mar 12, 2020 @ 04:07:02
Thank you, Penny. What is hardest for me is the number of people who accept this kind of treatment for animals without a second thought, believing they are “helping” the animals because “science” is on a higher plane. They need to know that “science” is a human invention — it’s simply a “method”, no more than that. Science is about numbers and analysis, not about the well-being of an animal. Science studies slices of life, not life as a whole. We need to look at the animal as a whole and not compromise any of it when we study the slices. :(( Janet