Phoenix was only a few weeks old when he was brought to the Waystation in the spring of 1996. He had been found by the side of the road, very likely orphaned and too young to be on his own.

At about the same time, a wolf pup was brought in by her owner, and, to provide companionship and enrichment for two lonely animals, they were introduced. Aisha, the wolf, and Phoenix were close buddies and enclosure mates for more than six months, until Aisha joined a wolf pack and another young coyote companion was found for Phoenix. Because he was accustomed to being fed by humans, he could not be released back into the wild. Phoenix still shares his habitat with Boo, a female of about the same age.

Phoenix the Coyote

He is very friendly with the people he knows and trusts, but like most coyotes, is very shy around strangers. He is taken for regular walks by his devoted team of volunteer animal handlers. When he was about a year old, he began to develop some weakness in his rear quarters. Many tests have been conducted to determine the cause and, hopefully, a cure. However, to this date his condition remains a mystery and is believed to be a neurological disorder. He does not appear to be in any pain and seems to be joyously enthusiastic about his walks.

The coyote, or Canis latrans, is a member of the Canidae family. Its range now extends throughout most of North America and Central America. Unlike most Canidae species, the coyote’s range and population are on the rise, primarily due to its strong ability to adapt to changing environments and the decline of its larger predators, such as the wolf.

The average male coyote weighs 25 pounds; the females are generally smaller. Coyotes mate for life and live in small packs of closely related members. Their natural diet includes small rodents, reptiles, insects and vegetation; however, they are opportunistic foragers and will eat almost anything.

Coyotes benefit the environment by keeping populations of rodents and other small mammals in balance. People who are in the natural territory of coyotes should keep food, garbage and pets in a secure place, particularly after dark.