Baby Coyote Survives Nightmare After Being Covered in Hundreds of Cactus Spines

A tiny coyote pup in Surprise, Arizona, is getting a second chance at life after rescuers found him completely covered in painful cholla cactus spines from his face to his paws.

The pup, only about 4 weeks old and weighing around 3 pounds, was discovered alone in a yard with no sign of his mother nearby. Wildlife experts believe he likely collided with a cholla cactus — a desert plant known for its sharp, barbed spines that can latch onto skin like tiny fishhooks.

Rescuers rushed him to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, where staff said the little animal was weak, cold and unable to move. Veterinarians sedated him and spent more than two hours carefully removing every spine from his face, legs, stomach and paws.

After treatment, the pup was placed in a warm incubator and given fluids. Against the odds, he recovered.

Now, the young coyote is acting like a wild animal again — exactly what rescuers hoped for. Staff say they avoid cuddling or human contact so the pup does not become used to people. He has been introduced to other orphaned coyote pups and will eventually be moved to a larger rehabilitation space before being released back into the wild when he is strong enough.

It’s a powerful reminder: even the smallest wild creatures fight hard to survive — and sometimes, a little human help can make all the difference.