STUDIO CITY—On Tuesday, September 8, the Wildlife Care of Southern California posted on its Facebook page that a coyote that had been known to roam in the Studio City region had to be euthanized because of an infection that caused its face to swell. She was known as Wendy the Coyote and had been living for over a year with this abscess or growth on her face.
WCSC has been tracking WENDY, the Studio City coyote, online since July 14, 2026. On August 7, they gathered enough information to put boots on the ground in 2 specific locations that we could monitor, with the help of the homeowners. Her route of movement within the community is 2 1/2 miles, where she finds water and people most likely feed her, and she was not consistent, making it much more time-consuming and difficult. It was reported on August 31 that she was found and being treated.
On September 1, it was reported Wendy’s possible condition was related to a phone call received a call that a resident in Studio City, approximately 1 year ago, who witnessed Wendy just after she was hit by a car, stumbling around, and her face was definitely where the impact transpired. #1 Photo on September 8 at some point after the accident; it’s unclear how soon after the car accident. The second photo was taken in a homeowner’s yard on Sept 25, 2025. This significant swelling and growth in such a short period is more indicative of a fractured jaw or a broken molar causing infection, which has been draining. A fundraiser was raised to provide care for Wendy that raised more than $6,200 of its $5,000 goal.
The WCSC posted on their Facebook page on September 8 the following statement:
“It is with profound sadness that Wildlife Care of Southern California shares that, following a thorough veterinary examination, our girl was humanely put to rest. This morning’s “sunshine” felt like a quiet reminder of the peace and freedom she will now know. We chose not to include photos of her examination in this memorial because we don’t want those images to be how she is remembered. Today, we chose to remember her for her strength, her fierce will to survive, and the beautiful wild spirit that touched the hearts of people far beyond the community she called home. We will share her exam photos in a follow-up post for those who want to better understand the severity of her condition.
Diagnostic imaging revealed two pellets lodged in her head, indicating that she had been previously shot. The extent of the infection was so significant over time that it had destroyed the upper jawbone on the left side of her face; it was gone.”
The damage was so severe that there was no surgery or treatment capable of restoring normal function. Wendy would have required a soft-food diet for the remainder of her life and for a wild coyote, it meant she could never return to the life and freedom she deserved, even in a captive setting.
“It is difficult to comprehend how much this young coyote endured over the course of the past year. She survived devastating trauma, 2 pellets lodged in her head, and a relentless infection that gradually destroyed part of her jaw—yet she continued adapting, searching for food and fighting to remain alive. This coyote’s remarkable endurance is a powerful testament to a wild animal’s will to survive, even while experiencing unimaginable pain.”
It was determined that her long-term welfare and quality of life meant keeping her “alive under those circumstances would not be humane.”
During the week in the WCSC’s care, she was safe, comfortable, and receiving medication, and surrounded by people who worked tirelessly to help her.
“Thank you to the Predator Healing Project for being there for the animals and our organization. Godspeed little girl,” the WCSC added.
By Danny Jones