A Resilient Young Coyote Survives a Painful Encounter with a Cactus
June 8, 2026
In Arizona, a young coyote managed to endure one of the most severe experiences with a cactus that wildlife specialists have encountered.
Discovered in the city of Surprise, Arizona, the pup, thought to be around four to six weeks old, was found covered in hundreds of sharp Cholla cactus spines. The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, renowned for its dedication, has taken the young animal under its care, and recovery appears promising, with plans to eventually reintegrate it into the wild.
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Upon receiving the urgent call, Berkeley Martineau, a veterinary technician, anticipated a tough task. Known for their stubborn, barbed spines, Cholla cacti pose a significant challenge.
“He had spines just about everywhere,” Martineau explained. “We’ve seen it in the face and paw, but this was head to tail. Everywhere. There were spines in the nose, mouth, tongue, tail, and back; it was everywhere.”
The procedure to remove the spines involved mild sedation and took over two hours, requiring meticulous effort to extract each spine.
“You could see some of the spines had gone through the ear,” Martineau noted.
Though arduous, the process is credited with saving the young coyote’s life.
Now, the situation is looking positive. Just a week later, the coyote is eating well, growing stronger, and interacting with other orphaned coyotes at the center.
Martineau believes the coyote’s ordeal likely began with an innocent mistake.
“It was probably a goofy little coyote who stumbled into the wrong cactus,” he suggested.
If recovery continues as expected, the coyote will spend the next several months in rehabilitation. Ultimately, it will be released back into its natural habitat, hopefully avoiding another close encounter with Cholla cacti in the future.
