Here’s a fun and uplifting story that we could all use right about now. Recently, a Canadian adventurer who has only been identified as “Justin” was on a rafting trip down a river in Saskatchewan.
As Justin found out, outdoor trips can become quite adventurous and full of unexpected twists. He was on a multi-day rafting trip down the Red Deer and Saskatchewan Rivers. One fateful day, he heard a commotion—a “dogfight”—he investigated, found nothing, and paid no mind to it. At first. But then, some time later, as he was fishing, he heard a squeak. Unbeknownst to Justin, he was about to catch something other than a fish. When he reached into the water to pull out the soaking-wet fur ball, the raft overturned, sending Justin into the icy-cold water too. By the time he recovered and scrambled back aboard his raft, he realized that he was not only facing the real threat of hypothermia but now had a young coyote pup along for the ride.
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The pup was unconscious and didn’t seem to be breathing. Luckily, Justin had experience with CPR
Image credits: WRSOS
After recovering from the river, Justin discovered the pup was unconscious and wasn’t breathing. After making a few attempts to resuscitate the coyote, he was able to get the pup breathing again. From there, he headed straight to shore and built them a fire so that they could both warm-up. Before long, they were recovering from their brush with death and quickly becoming fast friends.
Over the next ten days, Justin and his new pal continued to paddle down the river. The pup shared Justin’s food and would snuggle with him in his jacket. At night, he’d sleep in the man’s backpack. Eventually, Justin would even name his companion YipYip.
Justin and YipYip were rafting together for the next 10 days with no service
Naturally, Justin took YipYip under his wing and took care of him the entire time. They would eat and cuddle together, and YipYip slept in his backpack when he wanted to. Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called his wife for advice. First, he contacted organizations in Ontario and Manitoba before he connected with the Swift Current SPCA, who rerouted him to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society Of Saskatchewan, who eventually broke the story as we know it.
They would eat and cuddle together, and YipYip slept in his backpack when he wanted to
Image credits: WRSOS
Unfortunately for everyone, these are the only photos that Justin could salvage. Turns out he had his camera damaged in the water during his trip.
Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called for help. YipYip on the left in a rescue center
Eventually, Justin found a place with service and called his wife for advice. First, he contacted organizations in Ontario and Manitoba before he connected with the Swift Current SPCA, who rerouted him to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society Of Saskatchewan, who eventually broke the story as we know it.
As for YipYip, he is becoming wild again at the rehab and cautiously hides whenever someone approaches him, so there are few photos of him from there too. Which is good, because he will have to get back to his wild habitat, and he’s adjusting fast.
Full story as told by WRSOS
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