It was a close call in a Long Island marsh, where a coyote was nearly swallowed by 4-foot-deep mud before rescuers pulled it out.
Police in St. James requested help from the Strong Island Animal Rescue League after the animal became trapped in the marsh.
UPI reported that rescuer Frankie Floridia worked with staff at the Sweetbriar Nature Center to come up with a safe way to free the coyote. Floridia then went into the marsh and used a catch pole on the animal as it struggled to keep its nose above the mud.
A neighbor used a rope to help pull Floridia and the coyote back onto dry land.
According to UPI, the coyote was then taken to the Sweetbriar Nature Center for veterinary care.
The Strong Island Animal Rescue League said in a Facebook post that the coyote is now receiving medical care.
“He’s emaciated and not in the best shape but at least we were able to get him out of that situation and give him a chance! Yes, there are coyotes on Long Island. Yes, he deserves to live. Teamwork saves them.”
People responding to the rescue praised the effort. One commenter wrote, “This was the most intense & impressive rescue of a wild animal I’ve ever seen. This guy was not giving up.”
Another added, “Not me over here tensing up and grunting to assist vicariously as I watched the video.”
