PHOENIX — A coyote who found himself stuck in a tough situation in Phoenix this week is now free again thanks to the help of a Salt River Project worker and wildlife volunteer.
SRP says one of its employees was working the Western Canal near 18th Avenue and Dobbins Road when he noticed a young coyote in distress below the canal banks.
![SRP coyote rescue 2](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ea90b59/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3024x4032+0+0/resize/1080x1440!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F73%2Fb4%2F6dab69694f1a962ba8dfd7cb94f1%2Fimg-1251.jpeg)
The coyote had apparently slipped into the water while trying to get a drink. He was unable to climb out on his own and swim downstream where he found a ladder. While he was able to keep his head above the water, the coyote became trapped in the rungs of the ladder.
A Southwest Wildlife Conservation volunteer came to the rescue and used a catch pole to help pull the coyote, who just needed a little assistance, out from underneath the rungs.
The coyote was tired but uninjured and was safely released into his territory, SRP says.
![SRP coyote rescue](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d93e7c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/642x848+0+0/resize/642x848!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdf%2F6f%2Fc7942ae641a3acbbc70aeaa8d5bf%2Fimg-1126.jpeg)