A coyote pup found living at LaGuardia Airport looks like he’ll soon be on his way to a new home. NY1’s Gene Apodaca has the story.
His big ears may have lent to his playful nickname, “Dumbo,” but even some animal activists recognize there was nothing cute about where this 11-month old coyote had made his home.
"Of course the coyotes shouldn't be romping around the airport, or in baseball field or places where a lot of children are," said animal activist Jean Shafiroff.
Dumbo was just one of a pack of wild coyotes found living on a recently converted parking lot at LaGuardia Airport.
A situation airport officials say turned dangerous when numerous workers reported being threatened by the feral animals. Despite efforts to get them to leave
the airport says it was forced to euthanize the adult members of the pack, in accordance with state law. Dumbo survived.
"I think the concern of the DEC is take make the area safe,” said Shafiroff referring to the Department of Environmental Conservation. “I understand that but I also look at this as a species of animal that doesn't need to be killed," she added.
Almost since the beginning, the animal activist group, Wild Dog Foundation, tried to save the pack. Initially offering to relocate the animals to a sanctuary in upstate New York.
"We had a place that would take them, and unfortunately the state felt it inappropriate,” said group president Frank Vincenti.
Inappropriate, the state says, because that sanctuary was out of compliance.
Now, with the help of State Assembly member Rebecca Seawright of Manhattan, there appears to be a happy ending for “Dumbo” after all.
"Just this morning my office has been in touch with the DEC commissioner and we've identified a sanctuary in western New York that has a good compliance record and is licensed and ready to take the last remaining coyote pup,” said the Assembly Member.
The DEC tells us its working with the USDA, the Port Authority and the facility to finalize transportation arrangements before the coyote is trapped and relocated to his new home.