Something Manmade? Possible Coyote-Wolf Hybrid Seen in Northern California

A possible hybrid of a coyote and a wolf, also known as a coywolf, was recently spotted in the Shingle Springs area of Northern California. Images of the animal were taken close to a mobile home park during the day last week.

The employee who saw it, Ben Wilson, was surprised by the animal’s size, saying “it didn’t look like any coyote I’ve ever seen and it was up to my chest. I’m 5’8″ and it was up to my stomach.” Video footage also captured a pair of the animals trotting along a nearby trail.

Fauna Tomlinson, with the conservation group Project Coyote, said that the organization has examined the images and videos posted online and has notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. She noted that these hybrids are typically not seen west of the Mississippi and are not a natural occurrence. “That’s something manmade. They put them together to make some sort of hybrid,” she said.

It is speculated that the reason for the hybrids roaming the area now could be due to the impact of flooding or wildfires on their natural habitats or that they were released into the wild by their owners. The sight of the animals out in the day has caused some alarm among residents.

Authorities advise that if you come across one of these animals, you should not feed them and instead contact animal control or the fish and game department to track them and find out where they came from.