When Gwen Maxwell spotted a ball of fur trying to make its way across the road by her home, she thought there was something odd about its shape.
She decided to investigate the matter, only to find that it wasn’t a puppy – as she’d assumed – but rather a baby coyote covered in sharp cacti.
In fact, the animal was being tormented by no less than seven clumps of cholla cactus. It had attached itself to his face, legs and shoulders, hindering movement and undoubtedly causing great pain.
“He’d get up and tumble around with all those chollas on him, and it was just so heartbreaking,” Gwen said.
To make matters even more pressing, his mother was lurking nearby, standing vigil and waiting for her pup to come to her.
Fortunately, two men from a nearby golf course came to provide assistance. With the help of a pair of pliers and thick gloves, they were able to release the coyote and get rid of the cacti.
Though the pup was bruised and bloody from its brush with the spines, it remained calm throughout its handling.
His rescuers, meanwhile, were able to snap some truly unique shots before setting him back on the ground and encouraging him to run to his mother. He did just that, and the pair soon disappeared.
A big thanks to Gwen Maxwell and the two unnamed men who helped her set this coyote pup free!
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