Riverside County, CA – Monday morning started a bit different for staff at Mission Middle School in Jurupa Valley. A misguided coyote found himself inside of the school and staff cornered him in a bathroom stall before calling Riverside County Animal Services for help.

When animal services officer Will Luna saw the coyote cowering behind the toilet he did his best to coax him out, acknowledging that the animal was scared.

Fortunately, all is well that ends well. The coyote was loaded into the animal services vehicle and transported to an area where he could be set free.

Officer Luna stated that it is getting more and more difficult to relocate displaced wild animals because there is so much development that encroaches into their natural habitat. But this young coyote got his second chance. As Officer Luna watched him run away, he said, “free as a bird,” adding “my job is done.”