Mesquite’s Beginning
On October 20, 2021, Mesquite the Coyote left NMWC to a new home at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, AZ. Though it is not a common practice for animals that have been acquired by NMWC to leave us for other ‘forever homes’, Mesquite’s case was a unique one.
Mesquite arrived at NMWC after being confiscated by NM Dept. of Game and Fish in May of 2019. He was found with a media company owner who illegally started a business using wild animals for media here in New Mexico. Mesquite was one of several animals that were confiscated, many went to BioPark Zoo in Albuquerque. Mesquite, along with Pepper the raccoon (who was from the same business), came here where they were placed in the Wildlife Hospital side of NMWC, so they could be medically quarantined and also give us time to build new homes for them on the education side.
Mesquite’s Time at NMWC
We were originally told that Mesquite acted ‘like a puppy’ with the owner’s wife which made us hopeful that he would connect with a NMWC staff person and settle into a new life here. However, while behind the scenes on the hospital side, Mesquite was constantly fearful. We hoped that once he was in his larger, more permanent space he would calm down. Right before Open House in October 2019, Mesquite was moved to his permanent home on the Education side of NMWC.
Our previous Executive Director, Melissa Moore was a seasoned animal and dog trainer, so she took over the task of working with him. Over several months she finally got Mesquite to a point where he would approach her, until one day he backed into a structure in his enclosure, knocking it over and startling himself. Unfortunately after that he wanted nothing more to do with Melissa. NMWC Curator and two other staff with animal experience worked with Mesquite to try to gain his trust. Their progress was minimal as well. Mesquite also developed constant digestion problems, which our vets surmised was due to stress.
Finding Mesquite a New Home
Overall, during the two years Mesquite was with NMWC, he was not portraying any behaviors of animals acclimated to living at NMWC. When it comes to the behavior of animals in the permanent care at NMWC our goals are to have animals that are engaged and want to interact with their trainers, and also that are calm when being viewed by the public. This is important to us for the overall welfare of the animal, but also as it benefits our mission of ‘connecting people with wildlife.’
When we reopened to the public this past summer the discussion among staff came up again about what to do with Mesquite. His welfare, despite our best efforts and experience, was not to the standard we aim to provide here at NMWC. We reached out to a few facilities that house coyotes to see if there was anything more that we could do to help him. The overall consensus was that coyotes do not typically do well at public education facilities unless they connect with a staff person, but even then they are shy and typically withdraw from public view. With this information, we started the process of finding Mesquite a more appropriate home. After a couple of months, contacting sanctuaries across the country, we finally got a lead. Thanks to the American Sanctuary Association we were connected with Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, AZ and they approved Mesquite for transfer to their facility.
Mesquite’s Journey to SWCC
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) was started in the 1990’s when there were no wild mammal vets in the area. Currently, SWCC is one of the leading wildlife sanctuaries and rehab facilities in the southwestern United States, pursuing its mission to care for wild mammals in need and educate the community about wildlife. NMWC is appreciative and honored to collaborate with such a great organization. SWCC has other coyotes that in the future he would be introduced to and hopefully become part of a pack. Learn more about SWCC here.
On Wednesday, October 20, Mesquite was loaded up in a large crate with some cozy blankets and transported to SWCC by NMWC Outreach Manager Jessica! With the assistance of a donation from the H/3 Foundation, Mesquite’s travel expenses and a brand new enclosure at SWCC were paid for. While the journey was long, it was a smooth trip. Jessica and Mesquite arrived at SWCC around 5 PM on Wednesday and were greeted by SWCC staff. Jessica was even given a tour of the facility and got to meet their amazing Resident animals (multiple happy coyotes included!). As Jessica was leaving, all of the coyotes at the facility began howling in unison, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Mesquite must be thinking, surrounded by many of his own kind!
So with a somewhat bittersweet, but mostly relieved, farewell; Mesquite the Coyote has ended his life chapter here at NMWC. We wish him all the best and are truly grateful for all who helped this coyote finally find his ‘furr’ever home.
Watch Mesquite’s journey to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center here.
