A paralyzed coyote named Zelda is making an incredible recovery weeks after she was found on the side of the road covered in mosquitos.
The coyote’s journey to recovery went viral after a Reddit user shared a video of her health updates taken by the Geaux Wild Rehab.
A woman discovered a young coyote on the side of the road covered in mosquitos and brought her to the Geaux Wild Rehab on September 16
One of the center’s wildlife veterinarians examined Zelda after they arrived.
During the examination, a vet concluded that Zelda was severely dehydrated and emaciated, but did not have a fever, and willingly took oral fluids.
Zelda’s paralysis was not permanent, and the wildlife rehabilitation center confirmed her X-rays were perfect before showing a picture of the coyote standing up.
‘Her blood work all came back great, just slightly anemic probably from all of the mosquitos swarming her when she was found,’ Geaux Wild Rehab wrote.
Three days into her stay, Zelda settled into her cage, and was able to eat and drink on her own, despite not being able to stand up on her own.
The unidentified woman drove Zelda to the center, where she was quickly examined by a veterinary expert
Zelda came into the center severely dehydrated and emaciated. She did not have a fever and willingly took oral fluids after she arrived
Zelda began physical therapy about a week into her stay and enjoyed eating deer meat, chicken and mice.
Zelda has gained nearly all of her strength back, and the wildlife rehabilitation center will move her into an outdoor enclosure shortly
Various Reddit users praised Geaux Wild Rehab for the care they provided toward Zelda’s recovery
‘I was not in the mood to cry today but watched this video entirely based on (a) recommendation and I am so grateful that I did. Beautiful animal and beautiful humans,’ a Reddit user wrote.
Others insisted the veterinary expert saved Zelda from what one person said could’ve been a ‘slow painful death’.
Some Reddit users criticized the center for taking care of Zelda, and at least three of them believed the coyote would not roam free ever again.
One person wrote: ‘She may not ever run free after that much exposure to humans. But she looks very well taken care of.’